IP/09/43

Brussels, 13 January 2009

Commission approves aid for Ostrava airport in the Czech Republic

The Commission authorised today the implementation of State aid related to the acquisition of the necessary equipment for the management of the Ostrava airport.

The aid will be granted until the end of 2013 with a budget of approx. 11.15 million euros. The subsidized project consists of acquiring boarding bridges, self-propelled aircraft boarding stairs, a tractor for moving aircrafts, a self-propelled baggage conveyer as well as a de-icing unit.

The project is financed both by means of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and through the private resources of the airport operator. ERDF resources shall be granted by the regional authority. The maximum aid intensity is 70%. The aid is in agreement with Article 87 (3) (c) of the EC Treaty.