91999E0414

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0414/99

by Vincenzo Viola (PPE) to the Commission

(19 February 1999)

Subject: Scheduled air services between island regions and the mainland

Articles 154 and 158 of the Amsterdam Treaty refer to the island regions of the European Union and to the need for them to be linked to the central regions of the Community on account of (inter alia) their status as less-favoured regions, a status derived from geographical structural disadvantages, the persistence of which hinders their social and economic development.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to introduce in order to counter the detrimental effects which the opening of Malpensa 2000 has had on flights to and from Sardinia? Is the Commission monitoring the implementation of Regulation (EEC) 2408/92(1) on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, which should ensure the provision of continuous, regular, reasonably priced services with adequate capacity - criteria which flights between, for example, the smaller Sicilian islands (Pantelleria and Lampedusa) and the Italian mainland or Sicily itself currently fail to meet?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 1999)

As mentioned by the Honourable Member in his question, Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes makes provision for Member States governments to declare public service obligations. The legal power to decide whether to impose public service obligations on certain routes to regional airports, because such routes are considered to be vital for the economic development of the region does not, therefore reside with the Commission. The conditions must be necessary to ensure the adequate provision of air services on such routes according to certain standards which airlines would not assume if they were solely considering their commercial interest.

The Commission is aware that the Italian authorities are considering possible means of facilitating air transport services to peripheral regions, including the smaller islands of Sicily. The options available under Community law are the impositions by the Italian authorities of public service obligations on the routes concerned, as mentioned above, or the adoption of a non-discriminatory form of social aid for the benefit of the residents of such islands. It is for the Italian authorities to decide which air transport services should be covered by these arrangements. As regards the services to Milan, it would be difficult to introduce specific measures in relation to one airport if there is adequate service to other airports serving that city.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 8.