State aid: Commission finds Italy provided incompatible aid to airlines in Sardinia

On the 29 July 2016, the European Commission concluded that public support granted by Italy's Sardinia region gave selected airlines working at Cagliari and Olbia airports an unfair advantage, in breach of EU state aid rules, which must be repaid. Sardinia also failed to organise tender procedures to select the airlines to provide the activities financed. Furthermore, the European Commission found the measures involved no aid to Sardinian airports.

This scheme had been adopted by Sardinia in 2010 to increase air traffic to Sardinian airports and carry out related marketing activities. In January 2013, the European Commission had opened an in-depth-investigation to examine whether this scheme was in line with EU state aid rules.

The initial opening decision for this case also covered the Alghero airport case from 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission extends in-depth investigation on Alghero airport in Italy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-extends-in-depth-investigation-on-alghero-airport-in-italy/

ESO: Background information: State aid: European Commission opens investigation into support to Alghero airport, Italy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-european-commission-opens-investigation-into-support-to-alghero-airport-italy/

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