ELFAA urges European Commission to act against network airlines on state aid

European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) called (17-Mar-2010) on the European Commission to carry out "full and swift investigations" into state aid cases concerning SAS, Malev, Spanair and CSA. This is the second time the body has urged action on state aid in the past five months. ELFAA estimates a combined total of EUR1,160 million has been granted to these carriers. [more]

ELFAA: "Although exposed to many of the same cost pressures as their legacy competitors, low fares airlines have sought no assistance from states. This is why we are looking to the Commission to ensure a level playing field by taking prompt and effective action to eliminate the serious distortions of competition, which result from state aid to ailing carriers... ELFAA hopes that these cases will be the subject of swift and thorough investigations and that such aid will be repaid if it is found to be in contravention of EU state aid rules," John Hanlon, Secretary-Genera. Source: ELFAA, 17-Mar-2010.