52003XC0828(01)

Amendment by France of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services within France

(2003/C 203/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. France has decided to alter the public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services between Saint-Étienne-Bouthéon and Lille-Lesquin, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 24 of 28 January 2000 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 new public service obligation is as follows:

Minimum frequency

The minimum level of service provided must be one return trip per day, from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and holiday periods, 220 days a year.

The services must be non-stop between Saint-Étienne-Bouthéon and Lille-Lesquin.

Type of aircraft used and capacity provided

The service must be operated with a pressurised aircraft having a seating capacity of at least nineteen.

Timetables

The services must be provided between 7.00 and 19.00.

Commercial policy

Seats on these flights must be marketed by at least one computerised booking system.

Continuity of service

Except in cases of force majeure, the number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 3 % of the number of flights scheduled in any year. In addition, the carrier must give six months' notice before discontinuing the services.

Community carriers are hereby informed that the operation of air services without regard to the abovementioned public service obligation may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

3. These public service obligations replace those set out in the Commission notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 24 of 28 January 2000.