52004XC0330(02)

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

(2004/C 79/03)

1. France has decided to impose a public service obligation on scheduled air services between La Rochelle (Île de Ré) and Lyon (Saint-Exupéry) 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 between La Rochelle-Île de Ré and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry is as follows:

Minimum frequency

The minimum level of service provided all year round must be:

- two round trips per day, morning and evening, from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, 220 days a year,

- one round trip on Sundays 44 times a year.

Type of aircraft used

The services must be operated with a pressurised twin turbo prop or twin jet aircraft.

Timetables

Timetables must be such as to enable passengers on business trips during the working week to make the round trip within the day and to spend at least eight hours at their destination, whether La Rochelle or Lyon.

Flight bookings

Flights must be marketed by means of at least one computerised reservation 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. Moreover, the carrier must give at least six months' notice before discontinuing these services.

Community carriers are hereby informed that failure to observe the public service obligations when operating the services may lead to administrative and/or judicial penalties.