52002XC0710(04)

Imposition of a public service obligation in respect of scheduled services on routes within Greece in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92

(2002/C 164/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. Pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 the Greek Government has decided to impose a public service obligation in respect of scheduled services on the following routes.

Athens-Kithira

Athens-Naxos

Athens-Paros

Athens-Karpathos

Athens-Sitia

Athens-Skiathos

Thessaloniki-Skiros

Thessaloniki-Kerkira (Corfu)

Rodos-Kos-Leros-Astipalaia

Kerkira (Corfu)-Aktio-Kefalonia-Zakinthos

Alexandroupoli-Sitia

Aktio-Sitia

2. On these routes, the public service obligation is as follows:

(a) Minimum frequency of flights and minimum number of seats available each week on each route

Athens-Kithira

Five return flights a week and a total of 175 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Seven return flights a week and a total of 276 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Athens-Naxos

Six return flights a week and a total of 192 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Eight return flights a week and a total of 300 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Athens-Paros

Ten return flights a week and a total of 170 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Nineteen return flights a week and a total of 330 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Athens-Karpathos

Three return flights a week and a total of 162 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Five return flights a week and a total of 250 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Athens-Sitia

Two return flights a week and a total of 20 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Athens-Skiathos

Two return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Seven return flights a week and a total of 280 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Thessaloniki-Skiros

Two return flights a week and a total of 20 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Thessaloniki-Kerkira (Corfu)

Two return flights a week and a total of 110 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 180 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Rodos-Kos-Leros-Astipalaia

Two return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 40 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Kerkira (Corfu)-Aktio-Kefalonia-Zakinthos

Two return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 40 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Alexandroupoli-Sitia

Two return flights a week and a total of 20 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

Aktio-Sitia

Two return flights a week and a total of 20 seats a week in each direction throughout the winter.

Three return flights a week and a total of 30 seats a week in each direction throughout the summer.

The winter and summer periods are as determined by IATA.

If the average occupancy rate of all the flights on one route has exceeded 75 % during the previous period, the minimum weekly frequency or the minimum number of seats provided each week may be increased in proportion to the increase recorded. This increase shall be notified to the carrier operating the service by registered letter six months before its application but shall not come into effect until it has been published by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Where the aircraft used do not have the capacity required to cover the minimum weekly seat availability (laid down in point 2(a)), the flight frequencies may be increased accordingly.

If flights are cancelled because of weather conditions, they must be operated on the days immediately afterwards in order to fulfil the weekly requirement, taking into account the minimum number of seats provided pursuant to point 2(a).

(b) Fares

The price of the single economy fare may not exceed the following rates: Athens-Kithira: EUR 37

Athens-Naxos: EUR 50

Athens-Paros: EUR 49

Athens-Karpathos: EUR 60

Athens-Sitia: EUR 58

Athens-Skiathos: EUR 41

Thessaloniki-Skiros: EUR 50

Thessaloniki-Kerkira (Corfu): EUR 56

Rodos-Kos: EUR 35

Rodos-Astipalaia: EUR 40

Rodos-Leros: EUR 40

Kos-Astipalaia: EUR 40

Kos-Leros: EUR 35

Astipalaia-Leros: EUR 35

Kerkira (Corfu)-Aktio: EUR 30

Kerkira (Corfu)-Kefalonia: EUR 30

Kerkira (Corfu)-Zakinthos: EUR 40

Aktio-Kefalonia: EUR 25

Aktio-Zakinthos: EUR 30

Kefalonia-Zakinthos: EUR 23

Alexandroupoli-Sitia: EUR 70

Aktio-Sitia: EUR 70

The above amounts may be increased in the event of an unforeseen increase in the costs of operating the service outside the control of the carrier. This increase shall be notified to the carrier operating the service but shall not come into effect until it has been published by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

(c) Continuity of service

In accordance with Article 4(1)(c) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92, a carrier intending to operate scheduled flights on these routes must undertake to do so for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.

The number of flights cancelled for reasons for which the carrier is responsible may not exceed 2 % of the total annual number of flights, except in cases of force majeure.

The carrier must give at least six months' notice to the Civil Aviation Department, Directorate for Air Operations, Section for Bilateral Air Agreements, of any intention to cease operation of any of the above routes.

3. Useful information

The operation of flights on the above routes by a Community carrier without complying with the corresponding public services obligations may result in the imposition of administrative and/or other penalties.

As regards the types of aircraft used, carriers are invited to consult the Aeronautical Information Publications of Greece (AIP Greece) as regards technical and business data and airport procedures.

As regards timetables, arrivals and departures of aircraft must be planned within the operating hours of airports as determined by decision of the Minister for Transport and Communications.