Public consultation on draft revised State aid rules for air transport
The Commission has launched a public consultation on its draft revised Guidelines on State aid to the air transport sector, that are intended to replace the 2014 Aviation Guidelines. The revision aims to modernise the State aid framework in light of major developments affecting the aviation sector over the past decade, including traffic growth, decarbonisation objectives, the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis.
The proposed revision introduces several significant changes. Operating aid would remain possible only for smaller airports (fewer than one million yearly passengers), with block-exempt operating aid for airports with up to 500,000 yearly passengers under the new GBER and transitional five-year period support foreseen for airports handling between 500.000 and one million passengers annually. Investment aid thresholds would be reduced from five to three million passengers and subject to environmental conditions when new capacity is created. The draft Guidelines also propose abolishing start-up aid for new air routes and simplifying the assessment of distortive effects on neighbouring airports.
Stakeholders may submit comments on the draft Guidelines until 11 June 2026.
Clayton & Segura can help you prepare and submit your comments.
For more information, see the Commission’s PR.