Die Europäische Komission wird die Subventionierung Seitens der makedonischen Regierung von Billigfluglinien untersuchen. Laut der Aussage von Jakub Adamowicz kann man daraus schließen, dass die Flughäfen in der Region Wettbewerbsverzerrung wittern. Der Flughafen der makedonischen Hauptstadt "Alexander The Great" flog buchstäblich allen Flughäfen der Region davon und verbucht den schnellsten Wachstum in der Region. Die Vertreter des Flughafens in Pristina/Kosovo rügten Ende letztens Jahres die makedonischen Kollegen (siehe HIER). Mehr dazu im folgenden englischen Text:
European Commission to Probe Macedonian Government Financial Incentives for Low-cost Airliner
The European Union, through the European Commission, has launched an investigation into Macedonia's government financial incentives for flights of low-cost airlines operating from the Skopje airport, MIA reports from Brussels.
This was stated by Jakub Adamowicz, EC spokesman for regional policy and transport, when asked to comment on public speculation in connection to Macedonian government subsidies awarded to the low-cost airline WizzAir.
According to him, Brussels is aware of the concern of some airlines and airports in the Balkans about related developments in Macedonia and thus, the European Commission is contacting competent authorities in the country.
"The aviation relations between the EU and Macedonia are governed by the European common aviation area and in that context we are not aware of airlines seeking commission investigations regarding the financial incentives that the government of Macedonia might be giving to airlines operating from the Skopje airport. We are aware of concerns raised about a financial incentive schemes granted by the government in Skopje since 2012 to airlines willing to serve the airport," Adamowicz told a press conference in Brussels on Thursday.
There is a possibility, he added, of competition distortion that might arise between the Skopje airport and other airports in the area and other airlines flying into these airports.
"Now we are in contact with competent authorities in Skopje and we are gathering information to further examine the matter, maybe just to put this issue of fair and transparent market conditions in context. There is also the EU aviation strategy we launched last December. One of the key elements is to strengthen the competitiveness of the European aviation sector in general and also reinforce its global positioning," the EC spokesman said.
According to him, one of the cornerstones of the aviation strategy is the conclusion of comprehensive aviation agreements with actors such as Asia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar.
"We believe that these future agreements would create economic opportunities and create fair and transparent market conditions for all actors, both for EU airlines and non-EU airlines, both within the EU and outside the EU."
Adamowicz announced that next Tuesday the EU transport council would convene in Luxembourg, where important decisions were expected to be made.
