The Commission said Thursday it found the direct grant to the airport was in line with EU State aid rules.
Due to the measures that Romania implemented to limit the spread of the coronavirus as of 16 March 2020, airlines operating at Timisoara Airport had to gradually reduce their scheduled flights, until the total cessation of flight operations on 25 March 2020. This resulted in high operating losses for the airport. Restrictive measures were lifted and air traffic operations started resuming only on 17 June 2020.
The aim of the public support notified by Romania, which takes the form of a direct grant, is to compensate Timisoara Airport for the losses suffered as a result of the suspension of the flights due to the coronavirus outbreak in the period between 16 March 2020 and 16 June 2020.
The Commission found that the measure was proportionate and would compensate the damage that is directly linked to the coronavirus outbreak.