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Quebec: AER signs a joint Declaration with the LOJIQ in favour of youth mobility

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An ambitious plan in favour of mobility and youth employment, regions are mobilising

Québec (CDN), 5 May 2009 

Michèle Sabban signs a joint Declaration with Alfred Pilon, chief executive officer and Secretary General of the Youth international Offices of Québec (LOJIQ), in favour of youth mobility (see below).

In the context of the major economic and social crisis, regions are mobilising towards a future program in favour of youth employment and mobility.

Faced with youth unemployment, it is only a matter of observing local authorities within the European Union to see that initiatives do exist. These initiatives should in turn be more valued and encouraged. Indeed, interregional cooperation, namely in the domain of employment and the international mobility of young people, offers a number of opportunities for training or work experience. We are also aware that these experiences are important for the education and integration of young people, particularly in the context of an increasingly uncertain labour market.

Under the EURODYSSEY exchange programme, the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the largest network of regions in wider Europe, signed a joint Declaration to promote youth employment.

Partnership agreements are therefore being made between European local authorities and the LOJIQ. In Ile-de-France, there are nearly 100 people, apprentices, unemployed and job-creators, who spend professional time in Quebec each year. The contribution of mobility programs established by local authorities is essential to tackle youth unemployment. Furthermore, meetings with our friends in Quebec will be an opportunity for us to reiterate community commitment in the fight against youth unemployment.

Download the Quebec Declaration:

For more information: [email protected]

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AER / ELFAA / FARE Report: positive impact of Low Fares Airlines in European Regions

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A report released today on the ‘Social Benefits of Low Fares Airlines in Europe’ shows the enormous positive impact low fares airlines (LFAs) are having in regions across Europe.

Jointly commissioned by the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) and the Forum of European Regional Airports (FARE), the report was prepared by independent economic experts and includes the following highlights:

–    280 airports in regions across Europe have an LFA presence;
–    LFAs contribute 1.9 Billion EUR Gross Value Added;
–    More than 26,000 direct LFA jobs;
–    Over 110,000 airport-related jobs;
–    Over 427,700 jobs supported directly or indirectly through LFA activities and 740,000 jobs foreseen by 2014;
–    Huge benefits to economies, and in particular regional tourism
–    Case studies of the positive impact regional airports have had within their local communities

Commenting on the report today, AER Secretary-General Klaus Klipp said:

‘This report shows very concretely how LFAs are supporting economic growth, European cohesion and quality of life for citizens across Europe. Regions – particularly remote areas – with smaller airports offering LFA services are providing their citizens with greater job opportunities, tourism potential, and cheaper mobility options to connect them with the rest of Europe.

‘Frankfurt Hahn Airport in the Rheinland-Pfalz region (Germany) is a great example of how LFAs can have a huge economic and social impact upon a region. Handling around 20,000 passengers in 1997, Hahn Airport now services 3.7 million passengers (2006) following the arrival of Ryanair in 1999 as well as Iceland Express and Wizz Air in later years. The benefits for citizens of the Rheinland-Pfalz region are obvious: Employment on the Airport site has grown from 600 in 1997 to over 3,150 in 2007, hotels and other businesses in the area are flourishing, and the local community can now take advantage of the Airport’s expanding shopping centre and cheap flight options (80% of travellers using the Airport live in the surrounding region).’

Similar examples of LFAs’ positive impact upon regional airports and communities can be found in other regions, including Eindhoven (Noord-Brabant region, Netherlands) as well as Girona and Reus (both in Catalunya region, Spain).

For more information: [email protected]

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‘No more EU red tape on regional Airports’, asks AER Secretary General Klaus Klipp in Eindhoven

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‘European regions do not want more EU regulation on regional airports, if not absolutely necessary. New directives in the EU legislative pipeline, such as the ‘Proposal for a Directive on airport charges’ (COMM (2006) 820, 24/1/2007), will only make life more difficult for regional airports’, said the AER Secretary General Klaus Klipp, speaking today at the FARE, the ‘Forum of European Regional Airports’ in Eindhoven (The Netherlands).

‘Regional airports in Europe flourish thanks also to low-cost airlines, which have been the first to operate flight connections Europe-wide, while national airlines still favour the connections between their country of origin and other European countries.
All this has been possible thanks as well to the work of the European institutions, but now we are afraid that the same EU might be on its way to produce ‘overregulation’, which can potentially threaten and hamper the development of regional airports’, added Mr. Klipp, before making it clear that ‘additional regulation would only mean a huge administrative burden and more and more red tape for regional airports’.

The AER Secretary General Klaus Klipp concluded: ‘the only stakeholders which can have an interest in overregulation are the national airlines, which feel disturbed in their business. Instead of producing more regulation, the EU should have an airport policy that is supporting competition among airports and airlines. More red tape will not boost the growth of regional airports’.

For more information: [email protected]

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“Albergo Diffuso”: The New Regional Tourism Dimension goes Europe-wide with AER

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Amaro, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (I), 22 March 2007

AER President Riccardo Illy attended today the presentation -hosted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region- of the project “Albergo Diffuso”, a new regional scheme which is set to boost the local dimension of tourism. This presentation was held during the meeting of the Committee ‘Economy and Regional development’ of the Assembly of the European Regions (AER), which closes today in Amaro (Udine).

Friuli Venezia Giulia (President: Mr. Illy) aims at transforming traditional and still populated rural areas, which would otherwise be condemned to decline, into new tourist attractions and destinations. The revolutionary concept behind the project is that villages as a whole become “hotels”: accommodation is spread among different houses, which are re-qualified and restructured, while a single reception point, located in the village centre, deals with the arrival and departure of guests.

This project, which can be translated and adapted to other European regions, is based on certain key principles, namely: guests are at the centre of the scheme, respect for the environment is a must, local culture and traditions have to be privileged. Last but not least the authenticity of the location is at the heart of the whole project. Tourists can get a real feeling of genuine places, where the memory of the old times lives on in the tales of local villagers.

The scheme can also provide employment opportunities to locals, as the “Borgo Soandri” example clearly shows: in this small village, located near the city of Udine, a cooperative has been set up, in order to manage the “Albergo Diffuso” project. Six people are currently employed there. Tourists can travel to the Borgo, spend a long weekend or a short holiday break, discover local tastes and flavours, learn about traditions and get in touch with people: this is the definition of a genuine holiday, far away from mass tourism. The beauty of local landscapes and mountains adds to the advantages of this scheme.

Enzo Marsilio, Regional Minister for Agriculture and Mountain Areas at Friuli Venezia Giulia, underlined the importance of this project for local communities, while Enrico Bertossi, Regional Minister for Production, stressed how this initiative fits perfectly with the general development of a tourism which is rapidly and constantly changing.

Regional representatives from 43 European regions from the AER were given today a full overview of the project, which is now ready to be “exported” and adapted to other European countries.

For more information on the “Albergo Diffuso” scheme please click on
 www.clubalbergodiffuso.it and www.turismo.fvg.it

For more information: [email protected]

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Low noise – Low-fare – High impact Regional airports as factors for economic growth

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Today, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) gathered over 50 stakeholders to discuss the importance of regional airports and the success factors for their development. These include the role of low-fare airlines, the potential offered by public-private partnerships, successfully responding to environmental and social challenges and the role of European rules on state aid.

Onno Hoes, President of the AER ‘Economy and Regional Development’ Committee and Regional Minister of Noord-Brabant (NL) emphasised the economic and social benefits that Eindhoven Airport brings to his Province of Noord-Brabant. “This is why the Province is one of the shareholders in Eindhoven Airport. Good international accessibility is a sine qua none condition if a region is to become and remain the place to be for knowledge institutes, high tech companies and innovative suppliers. Efficient connections to other top innovative regions in Europe are of the utmost importance. It is also obvious that such a flourishing regional airport is a crucial element for social cohesion, as it contributes to employment in the region,” Mr Hoes stressed.

AER Secretary General Klaus Klipp underlined the interest of low cost airlines for regions, based on the principle that business brings business. “Once you have a low cost airline on board, surely more will follow. Not only airlines but also distribution centres, whole sale companies etc. During this conference it became clear that there is a strong potential for regional airports to contribute to the economic growth of regions. This is a highly specialised business that needs to be better explained. Certainly at the level of the EU institutions it is essential to listen to the very specific needs of regions and their airports.”

Bart de Boer, General Manager of Eindhoven Airport concluded “The growth of Eindhoven Airport is crucial for the Province of Noord-Brabant. All stakeholders involved in the airport business acknowledged that their policies should also address negative environmental effects in a responsible and innovative way, without however compromising the development of the regional aviation as such.”

For more information: [email protected]

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First comments of the Forum of European Regional Airports (FARE) and the AER on the Airport Guidelines

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First Comments on the Airport Guidelines issued on 6 Sep. 2005 by the EU Commission

FARE and AER are seriously worried by the impact that the Guidelines* will have on the development of regional airports and on interregional air services within the EU.
Although the Commission maintains that its Guidelines* have been issued in order to favour the development of regional airports, FARE and AER are convinced that the Guidelines will certainly have a strong negative impact on regional airports and on the inhabitants and will dramatically affect the economies of the regions they serve. The Guidelines nullify all the efforts and results achieved by regional airports over the recent years. This in total contradiction with the very wish expressed by the Commission to favour regional airports.

FARE and AER bitterly regret that the Commission, and specifically Mr Barrot’s Cabinet, rejected their offer for a deeper cooperation, which would have allowed a better, closer to reality approach. FARE and AER demand that all parties and political bodies supporting the development of the many EU regions and of their regional airports make their voices heard, asking for a fast revision of the Guidelines. In all cases, FARE and AER are now considering the possibility of an appeal to the European Courts of Justice.

“With these Guidelines, the development of regional airports is really at risk,” stated Mr Pier Giorgio Ballini, Chairman of FARE, “The time for suggestions, recommendations, position papers and the like is over. Now it is time for action: this is why FARE is thinking to appeal to the European Courts of Justice”.

What’s wrong with the Guidelines*

FARE and AER need to stress the overall impracticability of the Guidelines* provisions concerning start up aid, as they are totally ignoring today’s air transportation industry practices. This remoteness of the Guidelines* provisions from the real commercial air transportation practices will, despite the declared intents of the Commission, very seriously endanger the present and future development of regional airports and air services to/from the many EU regions. In fact the Guidelines, although apparently supporting the development of regional airports:
– Define too short and rigid limitations (3 years) for the payment of start up aid
– Limit aid to new routes only, without taking into account the need to improve existing air services (e.g. from propeller to jet service, etc.)
– Does not allow for exemption of aid notification, not even in the case of start up aid for flights from very small airports, thus putting an unbearable administrative burden on small airports.
– Give precedence to train over air transportation, and neglect the needs of islands and isolated regions
– Rigidly prescribe costs eligible for compensation, in case of start up of a new route
– In short deny small airports the degree of flexibility, which is necessary in negotiation the start up of a new air service with an airline, in today’s difficult and highly competitive market conditions.

The provisions of the Guidelines are too rigid for regional airports to adapt and compete successfully in today’s air transportation market. If the Guidelines are not immediately revised, the development of regional airports and their regional communities, the EU citizens’ right to mobility, the overall EU territorial, economic and social cohesion will be very negatively affected. These Guidelines* will achieve in practice the very contrary of what they declare to be willing to achieve: i.e. the strengthening of hub airport concentration, the protection of big high fares airlines, the isolation of regional communities within the EU.

* “Community Guidelines on the financing of airports and start up aid to airlines departing from Regional Airports”

For more information: [email protected]

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We need exemption of small airports from EU Guidelines

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Riccardo Illy, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), meeting today with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, welcomed the new EU guidelines on aviation and regional airports, as well as the Commission initiative to launch a consultation before adopting a final regulation. ‘The AER, who called for the publication of EC guidelines in order to remove the legal uncertainty created as a result of the EC decision in the Ryanair/Charleroi case, recognises that the new guidelines adopt a flexible approach, acknowledging the vital role of regional airports for citizens’ mobility and the economic development of many regions of Europe’ he said. ‘More specifically, they clarify the role of national, regional and local authorities in the provision of key infrastructure and offer an improved set of conditions for public funding to assist the development of regional airports and interregional air connections’ he highlighted.

However, Riccardo Illy pointed out that ‘small airports, e.g. up to one million passengers a year, should have the choice to decide which measures they want to take to attract airlines. A European guideline should not reduce their bargaining power when negotiating with airlines. This may also create a legal problem for existing agreements, in larger airports, usually concluded for an average duration of 10 years’.

On behalf of the AER and the European Forum of Regional Airports (FARE), who share the same position, Riccardo Illy called upon the Commission President to ensure that such obstacles for the future development of regional airports and the obligation of prior notification of start-up aids, especially for small regional airports, are removed from the final regulation.

The exponential development of low-cost carriers in Europe has significantly contributed to the development of regional airports and of a network of interregional air connections, supporting citizens’ mobility, regional economic growth and job creation, as well as increasing the accessibility of peripheral regions in Europe. The new EU guidelines, currently under consultation, must aim at creating a favorable climate for further development of regional airports. To do so, they should not impose rigid rules regulating a market which is constantly evolving, but help to clarify the legal provisions regarding state aid in this field and reconcile the Market Economy Investor Principle with the need for the regions to secure their own development.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER calls upon the European Council to assess the impact of liberalization

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Before adopting the draft Services Directive

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) appeals to the wisdom of the Heads of State and Governments when discussing the draft Directive on Services during the next European Council (16-17 December 2004).

At the last AER General Assembly in Vienna (25-26 November 2004), the AER member regions, representing the entire political spectrum of Europe, expressed their deep concerns over the impact of liberalization of services on social and territorial cohesion in the EU. The draft Service Directive will have a significant consequences for a number of services of general interest which are essential for the European citizens. The European Regions demand therefore that the European Council:

  • – evaluates the consequences of previous liberalization in such sectors as postal and telephone services, energy, water supply, railway transports, in terms of employment, environmental protection, as well as social and territorial cohesion, before any further liberalization of new services sectors,
  • – clarifies the scope and the limits of this Directive, in order to insure that it does not undermine the European social model,
  • – carries out, if the need arises, a prospective study of the consequences of such a uniform, standardized approach to the sensitive sectors of healthcare, social services, education, culture, areas in which each EU Member State has its own traditions.

“We plead for sectorial evaluations, on a State by State basis, which should be run by ideologically independent agencies, in order to make sure that the principles of universality, affordability, quality, permanence and transparency, so essential for the European citizens, are still respected” said Riccardo Illy, the AER President and President of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region. “We also ask for a comprehensive study in rural, remote and lagging regions, all in all in uncompetitive areas, in order to measure the impact of liberalization on the accessibility of services of general interest outside urban areas” he added.

Furthermore in the “AER Common position on services of general interest”, the AER member regions call upon the European Institutions that no moves be made toward the further liberalization of the areas of culture, education, health, social affairs, water supply, waste and sewage disposal in the international arena. In particular within the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) which rules don’t recognize the notion of services for the general interest of the citizens.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER welcomes EU Neighbourhood Policy but criticises Commission’s aviation policies

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Structured dialogue with the EU Commission

Strasbourg (F), 10 May 2004

The AER addressed today the following letter to the Irish Presidency of the European Union and to the National Representatives within the European Council:

“The Assembly of European Regions (AER), representing approximately 250 regions from 30 European countries and 12 interregional associations, welcomes the amendments to the draft Constitutional Treaty as proposed by Mr Bertie AHERN, President of the European Council and Prime Minister of Ireland [CIG 73/04; Presidency note “IGC 2003: Meeting of Focal Points (Dublin 4 May 2004) working document”, Brussels, 29 April 2004].

In particular, we welcome the willingness of the Irish Presidency and the Intergovernmental Conference to continue improving the draft Constitutional Treaty and to not restrict itself merely to institutional questions.

In this respect, the AER would urge you to further amend the draft provisions relating to the Union’s Common Commercial Policy (Article III-217) and to include therein the exemption currently existing under the Nice Treaty (Article 133- § 6), according to which international agreements in the fields of cultural, audiovisual, education, health and social services fall within the shared competence of the Union and the Member States and shall be negotiated by common accord of the Member States and concluded jointly.

Such an amendment would respect the division of competences between the Union and its members, as outlined under Articles 12, 13 and 16 of Part I of the draft Constitutional Treaty. According to these provisions, health, education and culture are primarily areas for Union supporting action. Social policy is an area of shared competence, where primary competence rests with the Member States and the Union takes supporting or complementary action.

Moreover, this amendment proposal would be in line with the opinions voiced during the currently ongoing debate on Services of General Interest in Europe, where emphasis is placed on the primary competence of Member States and their regions to freely organise, provide, commission and finance these services. Indeed, the amendment to draft Article III-6 proposed by the Irish Presidency expressly acknowledges this primary national and regional responsibility.”

For more information: [email protected]

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The European Union of 25: it’s up to us!

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Kralovehradecky (CZ), 7 May 2004

1st May 2004: the enlargement of the EU became a reality. The political Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), in order to welcome this event that it prepared since 1989, chose to celebrate it by holding its very first meeting in 2004 in the new EU 25 in the Czech Region of Kralovehradecky. The following decisions were taken:

Cohesion

The Bureau, referring to the third Cohesion report, affirmed the key role of the regions in shaping and delivering the future cohesion policy. “A stronger programme and appropriate funds are needed for interregional and cross-border cooperation in a wider Europe. The regions oppose a new legal instrument which is too strict and binding. Regions do not need a new EU framework to develop cooperation.” said Peter de Martin, Secretary General of the Arge Donauländer.

Regional Aviation

“There is urgent need for non-discrimination and equal opportunity in airport-airline negotiations. Strict guidelines would be damaging to the sector”, analysed Liese Prokop, “because regional airports are of great importance, notably for the isolated or disadvantaged regions which are highly dependable on this kind of infrastructure to boost their economic development. We decided – added Liese Prokop – to create an alliance which will encompass the representative European organisations of low-cost carriers with EFLAA, the regions within the AER, the regional airports and their regional authorities. This Alliance will be pushing regional and local development and aims to prevent the EU from imposing inflexible guidelines on the field of regional aviation”.

Services of General Interest

“Respect for the subsidiarity principle is essential” said Liese Prokop. “Regions are responsible for the provision of the majority of Services of General Interest, including health, transport, culture and education. Moreover, no in-depth study into the long-term implications of liberalisation of services has been carried out to date. The AER will continue to closely monitor developments in this area” she concluded.

Draft Constitutional Treaty

The AER Bureau expressed its full support for the current efforts to adopt the draft Constitutional Treaty for the newly enlarged Union. The regions raised their concerns, however, towards the draft provisions on the common commercial policy. “These may lead to the liberalisation of cultural, educational, health and social services by a majority vote”, noted Liese Prokop. “The Union should respect the current debate on Services of General Interest in Europe and should not move to the further liberalisation of these services under the GATS”, she stated.

Food

The European Regions have the right to remain non Genetically Modified (GM-free); they need appropriate legal means to make this right true. “Authorising the introduction of GM-crops that have been rejected by 80% of the European citizens is totally illegitimate” underlined Brian Greenslade, President of the AER Committee on ‘Regional development’.

Bureau members are set to agree on the first opinion on the European Commission’s Green Paper on Services of General Interest and the corresponding new directive. They are expected to express reservations about the liberalisation of sectors such as culture, health, social affairs and transport.

For more information: [email protected]

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Conclusions of AER-Hearing in Barcelona: 2004 New strategic alliance

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Low-fare carriers, regions and regional airports oppose strict EU guidelines

Strasbourg (F), 23 April 2004

Wide support for a new strategic alliance between ELFAA (the European Low Fares Airline Association), the AER (Assembly of European Regions) and the regional airports, was expressed at a hearing organised by the AER on 21 April 2004 in Barcelona.

The purpose of this alliance is to prevent the entry into force of strict new EU rules that will regulate agreements between regional airports and low–fare airlines. These regulations are unanimously regarded as a danger to the successful business model of public-private partnerships between low-fare airlines, regional airports and regional authorities. The alliance aims to promote long-term partnerships and the sustainable development of both regions and airlines.

The hearing highlighted a wide variety of examples of under-utilised airports and regional authorities that have been able to form public-private partnerships, which have brought new business to the airports and to the regions in which they are situated. The ‘point-to-point’ model introduced by the low-fare airlines is successful because it links regions directly to one another, without the use of hubs, for a price that is affordable and attracts new passengers to air transport. The business model of the low-fare airlines differs from that of the traditional airlines. The low-fare airlines sell the tickets themselves, they have a fast turnaround – with an average of only 25 minutes on the ground between flights – they offer no frills, and they have only one class which allows them to offer more seats. The successful development of regional airports has been made possible as a result of strong co-operation between the regions, the airports and the low-fare airlines, which has been facilitated through the development and maintenance of long term partnerships.

The hearing allowed representatives of regional authorities to analyse the European Commission ruling on the Ryanair/Charleroi case and its implications for the further development of a very successful new market. There was consensus amongst participants that, as a result of the activities of low-fare airlines, real competition has developed for the first time in the aviation industry. This is beneficial both to passengers and to many regions in Europe, which, as a result of these partnerships, are experiencing increased economic growth in sectors such as tourism and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in a wide range of commercial sectors.

Participants argued that public and private airports need to be treated equally, and at each airport there should be equal treatment between airlines when they are operating the same types of services. However, at the same time, it must be recognised that airlines do not always offer the same types of services. The traditional operators and the low-fare carriers differ in terms of a wide range of factors, including destinations, cost structures, landing fees, types of aircraft and the investment risks of the airlines involved. There are also large differences between airports in cities and those in peripheral areas. For this reason it is not possible to develop one set of rules that apply equally to all airlines and all airports.

Amongst those questioned by the representatives of regional governments were Wolfgang K. Kurth, CEO of Hapag Loyd Express, in his function as President of ELFAA, Jim Callaghan, Head of Regulation for Ryanair, Eric Heymann of Deutsche Bank Research, and the CEOs of the Airports of Pisa (Tuscany) and Pau (Aquitaine), Pier Giorgiao Ballini and Jean Luc Cohen.

“As regions, we cannot allow the European Commission to impose the same rules on low-fare airlines and regional airports as upon the large airline monopolies and international hubs” stated Manel Nadal, Secretary of State of the Ministry for Transport of Catalunya, who summed up the final conclusions for the European Regions. He added: “Low-fare airlines contribute to the creation of a new transportation concept, which opens up accessibility to many regions in Europe. They draw new clients to regions which were previously relatively unknown, including rural and peripheral areas. They give an unprecedented push to economic development. They allow regional airports to become autonomous and viable despite downward economic trends and the attitudes of airline monopolies and national carriers, which have deserted these airports. It is our opinion that the European Commission lacks the necessary understanding of this emerging market and innovative new sector. It based its decision in the Ryanair-Charleroi affair on a very traditional view of the aviation sector”.

“The innovative partnerships between the regions, regional airports and low-cost-carriers, assisted by the AER and ELFAA, should be viewed as joint ventures that support regional and local development. This public-private partnership concept, linking together the region, the regional airports and the airlines in a long-term partnership, necessitates the sharing of risks and responsibilities. It also demands appreciation of the indirect benefits for the regions, which are a consequence of the involvement of low-cost airlines. The alliance should not be seen as an opponent to national airlines, but rather as a necessary substitute to national and intercontinental air routes”, said Onno Hoes, Chairman of the Aviation Working Group of the AER. He added: “Instead of opposing our demands the European Commission should be supportive, as this partnership allows greater competitiveness, serves the interests of consumers and citizens, increases mobility and employment, and finally helps to reduce disparities between the regions. We are prepared to meet the Commission at any time in order to discuss the matter before a final decision on guidelines is taken”.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER asks the European Transport Council to address the issue of regional airports and low-cost carriers

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EU ruling on the Ryanair/Charleroi Airport case

Brussels, 12 February 2004

The regional representatives, meeting in Brussels today in the aftermath of the Commission’s Ryanair/Charleroi decision, have agreed on the following conclusions:

1. Regional airports cannot be submitted to the same uniform conditions, due to their great diversity. Therefore, there can be no definition of what constitutes “normal operating conditions”.

2. Commercial principles, in particular relating to free competition in air transport, must be counter-balanced with consideration for the regional and interregional dimension. Special emphasis must be placed on the aspect of sustainable regional development. In a number cases long-term public funding may be required, and such funding should be justified as support for the provision of a public service.

3. The Trans-European Networks policy should take account of the interregional dimension.

4. The Regions would accept the formulation of European guidelines, if these take full account of the complexity and the regional dimension of the issue and are not limited purely to economic aspects.

5. The regions ask the European Transport Council, which will meet on 8th March 2004, to address this issue. The AER will formulate and present a preliminary political position to the Ministers.

6. The AER « Regional Aviation » working group will meet on 25th March 2004 in Exeter (UK) to formulate concrete proposals on how to expressly acknowledge and include the regional dimension in the area of competition in air transport.

7. The regions will work together in solidarity and the Regional Ministers and Executives for Transport will present a co-ordinated position to the European level. “Interregional flight connections are as indispensable for economic growth and citizen mobility as railways, roads or waterways.

They present a central feature to achieve full accessibility of the regions in a new Europe. And scientific analysis shows clearly that possessing an airport is a must and essential for every region in order to be player in the globalized world. This implies that the Commission’s approach is too narrow when regarding the matter only from the aspect of distortion of the common market.

Subsidies for regional airports and interregional flight connections must, in many cases, be regarded as public services” stated Onno Hoes, Chairman of the Working Group ‘Regional Aviation’ of the Assembly of European Regions.

For more information: [email protected]

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Ryanair/Charleroi: the Regions reaction to the Commission’s decision

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The Assembly of European Regions (AER), as a first reaction to the decision, is pleased to note that the Commission has suddenly taken into consideration the importance of regional airports for the economic development of the Regions.

The AER regrets, however, that the promise contained in the title of the Commission Communication – “The Commission’s decision on Charleroi airport promotes the activities of low-cost airlines and regional development”- remains rather undeveloped within the actual text. The Commission continues to insist on the “prudent private investor criterion” and thereby seems to ignore the general interest aspect of regional air transport.

The Commission suggests that the Ryanair/Charleroi Airport case is a one-off, whereas its decision will most certainly affect all regional airports in Europe. Mr Onno Hoes, Chairman of AER’s “Regional Aviation” group, comments: “The decision should have been based on an in-depth analysis of the complexity of the issue and the diverse regional situations in Europe. The small airport of Knock in Ireland cannot be compared to Frankfurt-Hahn (D) and these two cannot be subjected to the same rules.”

The AER therefore questions the wisdom of the Commission’s intention to establish common rules and principles for this sector. Imposing a maximum duration of 3-5 years for regional aid could in many cases endanger the Regions’ long-term investments and their sustainable economic development. Within a constantly fluctuating market, there is no room for applying a European-wide definition of “normal operating conditions”.

The AER is convinced that its member the Walloon Region negotiated the contract with Ryanair in the full interest of the Charleroi area and its citizens, aiming to address the area’s industrial decline and the high level of unemployment. There remains no doubt that the Regional Government used public funds in the best interest of the tax payer.

Dr Franz J. Stummann of the AER Secretariat, referring to the AER’s political objectives, insists that interregional cooperation and solidarity, rather than uniform European rules, will benefit both the passenger and the Regions.

At the initiative of the AER, the Regional Ministers for Transport will meet in Brussels on 12th February to evaluate the impact of the Commission’s decision and to formulate an initial position.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER questions political sense of expected ruling of the European Commission on Ryanair

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Strasbourg, 29 January 2004

Next week’s expected ruling of the European Commission on illegally received state subsidies of Ryanair has raised deep concern by regional authorities throughout Europe.

Mr. Onno Hoes, member of the Executive of the region of Noord-Brabant and Coordinator of AER’s working group on regional aviation regards the verdict of the European Commission as a direct threat to the existence of regional airports: “Not only the future of Ryanair, of no –frill airlines and low-cost carriers is at stake.

The European Commission has to be aware that there is a regional and interregional dimension. So far the European Commission has never entered into a discussion with the regions or the AER as our representative organisation.

The public will be astonished, when they see how many regions, in particular in the periphery and in rural areas of Europe, are profiting from the concept of low cost-cost carriers by joining underused regional airports and providing not expensive travel.

The decision of the Commission could lead again to the abandonment of regional airports with an enormous impact on our regional development plans, e.g. for the development of small business and tourism.

It could threaten also the cohesion of Europe looking at the fact that the present and the new routes planned by Ryanair and other carriers are direct connections between regions and not only between capitals and industrial centres.”

The AER argues that the development of the last years with low-cost carriers using small regional airports has allowed in particular small and medium enterprises to get access to the international market at reasonable costs.

This makes them competitive in the market. Onno Hoes referred to huge public investments in the infrastructure of the regions, the incentives provided by the regions for setting up new enterprises and the effects on local employment.

The AER expresses the fear, that the European Commission by insisting on strict application of competition regulations will seriously infringe the ability of the regions to organize their transport services.

The regions concerned have called for an urgent meeting to be coordinated by the AER in order to respond to the challenging ruling and to define a long-term policy strategy in this field.

For more information: [email protected]

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Public Private Partnerships (PPP) as an essential tool in sustainable transport policies

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Proposals from European regions

Strasbourg, 7 May 2003

The Commission came out with a communication titled “Developing the trans-European transport network: Innovation funding solutions, Interoperability of electric toll collection systems” on April 23rd. An essential component of this paper is Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

The AER had held numerous consultations on the subject. The highlight of these initiatives to date being the Workshop on “Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): An essential tool in sustainable regional transportation policies” held in Lyon, France on April 11, 2003.

In Lyon, over 100 participants, including Regions from all over Europe and national authorities and experts, stated that PPP is an indispensable condition for the further development of the Trans-European Networks in an enlarged Europe. The workshop, however, demanded that a European legal framework for PPP be soon defined to serve Regional and citizen interests while reaffirming the importance of public services.

They also indicated some guidelines for a successful PPP: 

  • a transparent and clear definition of responsibilities between the private and the public sectors: in particular, establishing an accountable system for sharing of risks between the public and private sectors 
  • increase consultation between the Regions and the EU 
  • greater co-ordination between the EU cohesion and transport policies

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