Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001864/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Markus Ferber (PPE), David McAllister (PPE), Stefan Köhler (PPE), Christian Doleschal (PPE)
Europe’s many regional airports enable international exchange and connect citizens, companies and SMEs from all over Europe with the world.
Despite this key role for economic activity, in recent years the financial situation for regional airports has worsened mainly due to extrinsic shocks, such as the COVID-19 crisis, global turbulence in the aviation sector and Russia’s war against Ukraine. The financial situation of many regional airports is bleak, threatening their core existence and endangering their important role for societies and regional prosperity.
In this light I would like to ask:
- 1.Will the Commission, in its evaluation of the aviation State aid guidelines, consider the need for maintaining and modernising Europe’s regional airport network, which is not only about mobility, but also about safeguarding jobs and innovation in its industrial sectors?
- 2.Could the Commission support a framework where State aid rules take into account the long-term industrial and technological strategies of Germany, particularly in relation to decarbonised aviation?
- 3.How will the Commission assess the need for German regional airports to remain ready to support the rollout of electric aircraft and other innovations that are critical to the competitiveness of Germany’s industry?
Submitted: 8.5.2025