State aid: Commission approves €10.3 million Romanian scheme to support airport operators in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €10.3 million (RON 51.5 million) Romanian scheme to support airport operators in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework.

Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to airport operators in Romania with an annual passenger traffic between 200,000 and 3 million that recorded losses between July 2020 and December 2021.

The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Romanian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.

In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.

On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. 

 (Photo:https://www.bucharestairports.ro/ro/galerie-foto/galerie-foto-interior)

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