Airport, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Transport

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 02:48

EU transport ministers discuss ways to improve air connections

BC, Tallinn, 21.09.2017.Print version
Transport ministers of the European Union meeting in Tallinn on September 20th focused on ways to ensure better flight connections in the European periphery, informs LETA/BNS.

"There are currently two ways in which the European Union is able to increase the number of air links needed: setting public service obligations for airlines and providing state aid," Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kadri Simson said.

 

Meanwhile, Estonia has been analyzing the possibility of providing international air services with public service contracts to European economic centers but has found that it cannot be implemented in full compliance with the requirements of the European Union without compromising the competitive environment. This current approach is more suitable for local, not international connections.

 

"Therefore, we need a solution that would ensure sufficient air connections while not jeopardizing free competition in the single EU aviation market. It remains to be seen whether the European Union will be able to create opportunities that will provide all member states with solutions to ensure good connections," the minister said.

 

European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc confirmed that good transport connections are an important issue for the European Commission, especially by looking at the various modes of transport. "I believe that only when we include other modes of transport, in addition to air connections, can the provision of connections become sustainable," Bulc said.

 

The EU transport ministers on Thursday will continue discussions in the Tallinn Creative Hub to chart the policies and investment needs for the development of the trans-European transport network in the next funding period, that is, after 2020.

 

On the second day of the meeting, the focus will be on the results of the previous projects of the transport network (TEN-T), the CEF mid-term review and on discussing the use of possible sources of funding - including innovative sources - for building up the TEN-T network during the next funding period.






Search site