The EU Commission has approved, on the basis of EU state aid rules, the aid scheme of 30 million euros to support the creation of new air links to and from Sardinia's airports.
The aim of the scheme – budgeted by the Region – is to improve the mobility of residents on the island which qualifies as a “remote region” under EU state aid rules.
Another purpose of the package is to enhance connectivity between Sardinia and other regions of the European Union.
In view of these objectives, the aid scheme also aims to increase air passenger traffic to and from Sardinia outside the tourist season , when connections are poor.
The scheme will have a maximum duration of three consecutive years and the aid will take the form of direct grants .
The program is open to airlines establishing new connections between any of Sardinia's three airports and a different airport within or outside the European Common Aviation Area.
The aid will cover 50% of the cost of airport charges incurred by each beneficiary for each newly created air route.
«We learn with great satisfaction the decision of the European Commission regarding the official notification sent by the Transport Department in May – comments the regional Transport Councilor Barbara Manca -. Every year, for three years, the Sardinia Region will be able to invest 10 million euros of regional resources to support the launch of new air routes between the island and new national, European and non-European destinations, with positive repercussions on the Sardinian economy ».
«We have already activated the steering table in which the Department of Transport, the Department of Tourism and Sfirs participate, for the identification of the new routes which will then be the subject of specific public procedures. This measure - he states - is part of the broader air mobility project that the Transport Department is carrying out to improve accessibility to and from the Island (not just for residents), such as the elimination of tariffs with social aid and obviously the strengthening of aerial territorial continuity".
(Unioneonline/lf)