(Finance) – The European Commission has approved, pursuant to EU rules on state aid, an Italian plan to 120 million euros to support the creation of new connections planes for passengers to and from the airports of region Calabria. The aim of the project is to improve connectivity between Calabria and other regions of Europe, as well as mobility of residents in Calabria. Under the scheme, which runs until 27 March 2027, aid will take the form of grants direct. The program is open at companies aerial which establish new connections between any of the three airports in Calabria and a different airport in the European Common Aviation Area. The aid will cover up to 50% of the cost of airport charges incurred by each beneficiary for each newly created air route.
The Commission assessed the scheme in light of EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain activity economical or certain ones areas economical under certain conditions. In this context, the Commission has also applied the State aid guidelines to airports and at companies aerialwhich provide guidance on the compatibility with the internal market of aid to airlines to launch a new air route with the aim of increasing the connectivity of a region.
The Commission considered that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support new air links for passengers in a region where air transport is essential to ensure the mobility of its residents. Furthermore, the Commission considered that the measure is necessary because i potential beneficiaries they would not make the investments without public support. Finally, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate as the aid is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Italian scheme under EU state aid rules.