Press Release: State aid: Commission approves public service aid to Sundsvall Timra and Skelleftea airports in Sweden

On 19 January 2016 the European Commission found Swedish plans to grant compensation for public service obligations linked to the management of two regional airports to be in line with European Union state aid rules. The public funding will contribute to facilitate regional connectivity and development without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.

Sundsvall Timra airport and Skelleftea airport are important to connect two sparsely populated regions in northern Sweden with the rest of the EU. Due to their location, they generate only moderate passenger traffic, which is insufficient to cover their fixed costs.

The Commission's investigation found that the lack of acceptable connections between Vasternorrland County and Vasterbotten County with Stockholm and the rest of Europe would significantly harm the standard of living of inhabitants of these areas. In line with the Aviation Guidelines, the Commission also ensured that the compensation cannot be used to subsidise any airline aiming at developing commercial air transport services.