Freight News, Sea

Brussels eases port and airport spending rules

[ May 17, 2017   //   Chris ]

The European Commission has approved new state aid rules that it says will simplify rules on state aid for ports and airports in the EU’s outermost regions.

Member States can now make public investments in regional airports handling up to 3 million passengers per year without prior control by the Commission. The Commission says this will boost public investment in more than 420 airports across the community.

The Regulation also allows public authorities to cover operating costs of small airports handling up to 200 000 passengers per year.

Member states can also now make public investments of up to €150 million in seaports and up to €50 million in inland ports without prior control. It also allows public authorities to cover the costs of dredging in ports and access waterways.

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “We want to ensure that companies can compete on equal terms in the Single Market – and we want to do so in the most efficient way.” She said the changes will save time and trouble when investing in ports and airports, whilst preserving competition.

Tags: European Commission