The discussions about state aid for regional airports started in 2004 with the so-called Charleroi Case. The Charleroi airport (now called Brussels South) and the region Wallonie were accused of forbidden State Aid by the European Commission. Quite a few regions, regional airports and low fare airlines expressed their opinion on this case which lead in 2005 to the “The community guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports” (Official Journal C 312 9f 09.12.2005). In 2007 AER organised a conference in Poznan (Poland) about the (negative) consequences of these guidelines for the development of regional airports and regions.
These guidelines have to be renewed in 2010. The European Commission has started with the preparations and the discussion among regions has already begun. The new guidelines only can be fruitful for regional development when they take into consideration changes voiced by regions.
Programme
9.00-9:15 Welcome
Representative of Communidad Valenciana
9.15-9:30 Opening
Harry Dijksma, minister economic development of the region of Flevoland (NL), chairman of the AER working group regional aviation
9:30-9:50 The EU guidelines and their implication for regional development
Klaus Klipp, Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions AER
9.50-10:10 Regional airports in the region of Valencia
Representative of the regional Government of Valencia
10.10-10:30 Practical experiences with the present guidelines
Annabelle Lepièce,, CMS DeBacker, lawyers, Brussels
10.30-11:00 Coffee break
11.00- 11.20 The guidelines and regional airports
Christoph Köppchen, ACI Europe Policy Manager
11.20-11.10 EU guidelines and Low Fare Airlines
John Hanlon, secretary general of ELFAA (European Low Fare Airlines Association)
11.50-12.10 Questions & Answers
12:10-13:30 Lunch
Regional airports, EU guidelines and regional development – practical examples
13.30 – 13.50 EU opinions about the guidelines
Jean Louis Colson, DG TREN European Commission
13.50 –14.10 The development of Lelystad airport in Flevoland regin
Representative of Lelystad Airport
14.10—14.30 EU Guidelines and Brussels South Airport
David Gering, commercial director
14:30-15:00 Discussion
15:00 Closing
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