EU Approves €12 Million in Aid to Compensate Malta International Airport Affected by COVID-19

In a statement issued on June 28, the EU Commission stated that the measure was intended to compensate the airport operator for damage suffered during the period March 21 to June 30 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions imposed by Malta to stop the spread of the virus, AtoZSerwisPlus.mt reports.

“As a result, the Malta international airport operator experienced a steep decline in traffic and profitability over this period. The aid will take the form of a direct grant,” the statement reads.

The Commission approved this measure under Article 107 (2) (b) TFEU, which enables the Commission to adopt state aid measures granted by the Member States in order to compensate companies or specific sectors for damage caused during the Coronavirus pandemics.

In addition, the Commission also found that the measure is proportionate, as the compensation does not exceed what is necessary to remedy the damage. Thus, the Commission concluded that the measure of compensation is in line with EU rules on state aid.

On June 21, the Commission approved a Croatian scheme worth €85.3 million in support of large companies in the civil aviation sector affected by COVID-19.

Since Croatia, like other countries, was forced to impose measures of various kinds due to the Coronavirus pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus, companies active in the civil aviation sector suffered significant operating losses and a decline in traffic and profitability.

Another Italian scheme amounting to €56.25 million has been approved by the Commission to continue supporting travel agencies and tour operators in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic.