Press Release: State aid: Commission opens 3 in-depth state aid investigations in air transport in France, Germany and Ireland; clears Dutch air passenger tax

The European Commission has opened three separate in-depth state aid investigations regarding the Marseille and Frankfurt Hahn airports as well as lower taxes for air passengers in Ireland that benefit almost exclusively domestic flights. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments on the measures under investigation. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Finally, the Commission has approved the Dutch air passenger tax system, because it did not favour certain operators in comparison with others.