The former Minister of Transport, Yiannis Karousos, emphasizes that the main changes promoted by the European Commission, which essentially lead to the end of state aid to air transport, such as the incentive plans for the development of new air connections and the support of airports, is an issue of national importance for Cyprus.
In his statement, he states the following:
The European Commission is promoting changes that essentially lead to the end of state aid to aviation, such as incentive schemes for the development of new air connections and support for airports.
Key proposed changes include:
• The tightening of the conditions for the granting of operating and investment aid to airports.
• The abolition of the start-up aid for new air routes.
• The revised assessment of the impact of the aid on competition between neighbouring airports.
For Cyprus, this should not be a technocratic European debate but an issue of national importance.
The connectivity of our country, tourism, the attraction of new markets and the competitiveness of our economy depend directly on the ability to support new air routes.
The European Commission's public consultation ends on June 11 and the Government must give a clear answer:
• Has the Republic of Cyprus submitted a position?
• What interventions have been made so far in Brussels?
• Were exceptions claimed for island states such as Cyprus?
• Is there a strategy to protect the ability to support new air connections?
Cyprus cannot passively monitor European decisions that directly affect the future of tourism and its economy.
If the possibility of incentives for new air connections is lost, the consequences will be serious: fewer air options, more difficult to attract new markets, loss of competitiveness and consequently a blow to tourism development.
The country needs timely intervention, European alliances and serious claims.
-A plan is needed.
-A voice is needed.
-A presence in Europe is needed before decisions are made, not after.
