ACI Europe urges revision of EU state aid framework

ACI Europe reported (20-Jan-2021) European airports and tourism organisations appealed to the EU to revise its COVID-19 state aid framework, arguing that without changes the aviation industry will suffer "irreversible damage" in a constantly deteriorating situation. The organisation urged the EU to consider the following policies:

• The possibility for airports to obtain full compensation for damages due to COVID-19 and for as long as travel restrictions remain in place;
• The possibility for airports to be compensated for unrecovered fixed costs for as long as travel restrictions remain in place, without a cap or limitation as regards total amounts;
• The possibility for airports to benefit from air connectivity restart schemes, where states can provide a direct per passenger subsidy to airlines restarting air routes previously operated or launching new air routes similar to the successful Cyprus scheme. These schemes could play an essential role in supporting the revival of the tourism sector. [more - original PR]