Airport funding lift

THE European Commission has relaxed rules governing the financing of regional airports, meaning more than 420 small runways across the Eurozone could be granted public funds more readily.

Member states can now make public investments in support of regional airports that receive up to three million passengers per year “in total legal certainty and without prior control by the Commission”. These airports carry 13% of air traffic.

The new regulation also allows public authorities to cover the operating costs of small installations with up to 200,000 passengers per year.

“Although more than half of EU airports belong to this category,” said an EU statement, “and they only account for 0.75% of air traffic, these airports can make a significant contribution to the connectivity of a region. They are unlikely to distort competition in the EU single market.”

The regulation also exempted public funding of ports from EU scrutiny, with the aim of facilitating public investment for job creation and growth whilst preserving competition.

Member states can now make public investments of up to €150 million in sea ports and up to €50 million in inland ports without prior EU input.

Red tape around the funding of large cultural projects and multi-sport arenas was also relaxed.