European air transport public service obligations : a periodic review

Abstract

The "3rd package" of European Union air transport liberalization measures came into effect on January 1, 1993, and has substantially reduced the restrictions on interstate flight operations. The package of measures also includes a provision for the member states to impose public service obligations on low-density routes which were deemed necessary for the purposes of regional development. With the advent of the European Union, much attention is being focused on developing inter-regional links and intra-regional links that connect to the Trans-European Networks. These networks are the strategically important corridors serving the EU, and have been drawn up at the federal level. The European Commission is advocating a common external aviation policy where the Commission negotiates or renews bilateral agreements with non-EU states.