52002XC1213(08)

Commission communication pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92

Modification by the United Kingdom of a public service obligation in respect of a scheduled air service between Stornoway and Benbecula

(2002/C 310/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. The United Kingdom has decided to modify the public service obligation in respect of the scheduled air service between Stornoway and Benbecula as set out in the notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 53/06, 4.3.1995, as modified in OJ C 143/04, 8.5.1998, and as further modified in OJ C 154/03, 29.5.2001, pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes.

2. The modified public service obligation for Stornoway and Benbecula is as follows:

- Minimum frequencies:

Two return trips per day except Saturday and Sunday between Stornoway and Benbecula.

- Capacity:

The capacity offered should be not less than 18 seats each way.

- Fares:

- the price of a single ticket must not exceed GBP 60,29 (excluding air passenger duty),

- the maximum fare on the route may be increased once every year in line with the United Kingdom's retail price index (all items) or any successor index to this,

- no other changes may be made to the fare levels without the prior written consent of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Council in the Western Isles of Scotland),

- the new maximum fare on each route must be notified to the Civil Aviation Authority and shall not come into effect until it has been published by the Commission in the Official Journal of the European Communities.