52003XC1119(02)

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

Modification by the United Kingdom of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services between Glasgow and Campbeltown and Glasgow and Tiree

(2003/C 278/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. The United Kingdom has decided to modify the public service obligations in respect of the scheduled air services between Glasgow and Campbeltown and Glasgow and Tiree as set out in the Notices published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 387/06 and C 387/07 of 21 December 1996, as modified in the Official Journal of the European Communities by C 355/03 of 8 December 1999 and C 310/07 of 13 December 2002, 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 OBLIGATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

- Minimum frequencies

- Two return trips per day except Saturday and Sunday between Glasgow and Campbeltown; and

- One return trip per day except Sunday between Glasgow and Tiree.

- Capacity

- The capacity of the aircraft used on the Glasgow to Campbeltown route on Monday to Friday should be not less than 14 seats (Glasgow to Campbeltown) and 16 seats (Campbeltown to Glasgow);

- The capacity of the aircraft used on the Glasgow to Tiree route on Monday to Saturday should be not less than 13 seats (Glasgow to Tiree) and 16 seats (Tiree to Glasgow);

(Provision is currently made by the present operator for one seat for the post office on all outbound Glasgow to Tiree services. This is, however, subject to separate contract arrangements).

- Fares

Proposals should include two pricing options for each route as follows:

1. For the route Glasgow to Campbeltown, one pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 54 and a second pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 50 (excluding air passenger duty and security charges), and

2. For the route Glasgow to Tiree, one pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 79 and a second pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 62 (excluding air passenger duty and security charges).

The maximum fare on the routes may be increased once every year with the prior written consent of the Scottish Ministers 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 the Scottish Ministers.

The new maximum fare on each route must be notified to the Civil Aviation Authority and will not enter into force prior to their notification to the European Commission which may publish them in the Official Journal of the European Union.