All Airlines Operating At Timisoara Airport Enjoy Same Conditions - Manager

05.24.2011 By Ioana Tudor

Timisoara International Airport director Cornel Samartinean said Tuesday, referring to the European Commission’s investigations regarding a possible distortion of fair competition, that all airline companies operating at the airport enjoy same conditions.

Samartinean told MEDIAFAX airlines have access to a public information system which lists the prices charged by the airport.

Samartinean said he has not received an official notification regarding the investigation opened by the EC.

The EC has opened two in-depth investigations under EU state aid rules into a Romanian support scheme for investments in regional airports and to ascertain whether certain rebates and discounts granted by the Timisoara airport to some airlines distort competition.

"The Commission is particularly concerned that the agreements concluded between Timisoara airport and Wizz Air could procure the latter an unfair economic advantage over its competitors," the EC said in a press release Tuesday.

"The Commission has a duty to investigate when it believes public authorities may be granting subsidies that distort the conditions of fair competition. The rules allow subsidies to compensate for services of general interest and, under certain conditions, to improve access infrastructure or to help start up services at regional airports. They do not allow subsidies to cover operating losses on a continued basis," said Joaquín Almunia, Commission Vice-president in charge of competition policy.

As regards Timisoara airport, the Commission also needs to verify whether the annual subsidies granted to the airport only serve to reduce the airport operator's current expenditures. Unless the airport is of a general economic interest purpose, subsidies are incompatible with EU rules because the airport would be given an unfair advantage with regard to its competitors, who have to operate without aid.

The EC also said it will investigate the contractual relations between Timisoara airport and airliner Wizz Air, namely a marketing agreement signed in 2008 and the non-payment of airport charges amounting to EUR2.6 million as well as additional rebates of 72 to 85% on all airport charges for large aircraft.

The Commission said it is concerned such preferential treatment may force out of the market the only competitor of Wizz Air on some routes.

The opening of the in-depth state aid investigations gives the Romanian Government and interested third parties an opportunity to comment on the measures under assessment and does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation, the EC concluded.