EU competition authorities on Monday put forward a proposed revision of state aid rules that govern support to smaller airports, framing the move as part of efforts to align public funding with Europe’s decarbonisation commitments and to respond to pressures from the energy crisis. The Commission said the package represents the first comprehensive revision of EU air transport rules in more than ten years.
Interested parties have until June 11 to submit feedback on the draft. The Commission will review the input before choosing whether to advance the plan in its present form or to make additional modifications.
Under the proposed regime, investment aid for creating new airport capacity would be available to airports handling up to 3 million passengers per year, subject to green conditions. That represents a reduction from the previous threshold of 5 million passengers per year.
For operating support, the draft introduces a simplified approach for the smallest facilities. Airports with fewer than 500,000 annual passengers would no longer require prior EU approval for government operating aid, removing a formal sign-off step for such subsidies.
The proposal also calls for the elimination of start-up aid for new air routes. Regulators argue that the commercial risk associated with launching new routes should rest with airlines rather than being underwritten by public funds.
Commenting on the objectives of the draft, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said: "Today’s proposal ensures that public funding is directed where it is most needed while ensuring a level playing field in the single market."
The Commission expects the revised rules to come into force in the first quarter of 2027, subject to the procedure that follows the public feedback period and any further internal decision-making.
Context and implications
The text reorients which airports are eligible for investment support and places explicit environmental conditions on new-capacity grants. It also streamlines operating-aid oversight for the very smallest airports, while withdrawing explicit support for new-route start-ups so airlines carry initial commercial risk.
Stakeholders now have a defined window to influence the final shape of the rules, with the Commission setting a clear deadline for comments.