The EU Commission has approved, on the basis of EU state aid rules, an Italian scheme of 30 million euros to support the creation of new air connections to and from the airports of the Sardinia region. The aim of the scheme is to improve the mobility of residents in Sardinia, which qualifies as a remote region under EU state aid rules, as well as connectivity between Sardinia and other EU regions. In view of these objectives, the scheme also aims to increase air passenger traffic to and from Sardinia outside the tourist season, when connections are poor.
“We learn with great satisfaction the decision of the European Commission regarding the official notification sent by the transport department in May – highlighted the regional transport councilor, Barbara Manca -. Every year, for three years, the Sardinia Region will be able to invest 10 million euros of regional resources to support the launch of new air routes between the island and new national, European and non-European destinations, with positive repercussions on the economy of the Sardinia. We have already activated the steering table in which the Transport Department, the Tourism Department and the SFIRS participate, for the identification of the new routes which will then be the subject of specific public procedures”.
“This measure” – states councilor Barbara Manca, “is part of the broader air mobility project that the transport department is carrying out to improve accessibility to and from the island (not only for residents), such as the reduction of tariffs with social assistance and obviously the strengthening of territorial continuity in the air”, he concludes.
The aid will cover 50% of the cost of airport charges incurred by each beneficiary for each new air route. Indeed, Brussels considered that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support new passenger air connections in a region where air transport is essential to ensure the mobility of residents. Furthermore, the Commission considered the scheme necessary, as the potential beneficiaries would not carry out the investments in question without public support. Finally, the scheme was considered proportionate as the aid is limited to the bare minimum and will have a limited impact on competition and trade in the EU.
