Legalize / European Union / Regulation

Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 implementing Council Regulation (EC)No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty

Type Regulation

Publication 2004-04-30

Last updated 2025-08-13

State In force

Department European Commission

Source EUR-Lex

articles 15

Reform history JSON API

(d) □the costs of promotion activities;

(e) □the costs of drawing up forest management plans or equivalent instruments.

2.5.Is the aid limited to a maximum period of seven years?

□yes □no

2.6.Where the aid is not limited to a maximum period of seven year, please indicate the reason for a different duration:

(a) □aid is granted in favour of implementation, in particular by groups of public and private partners other than those referred to in Article 31(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, of local development strategies other than those referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060;

(b) □aid is granted in favour of collective environment and climate actions in duly justified cases to achieve the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in Article 6(1), points (d), (e) and (f) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. Please justify collective environmental actions exceeding seven years:

2.7.Please indicate the aid intensity: …

Please note that pursuant to point (585) of the Guidelines, the aid intensity must not exceed 100 % of the eligible costs, with the exception of the costs of operation, which consist of investments.

2.8.Please indicate the maximum aid intensity of the costs of operations referred to in point (582)(c) of the Guidelines, which consist of investments:

Please note that pursuant to point (584) of the Guidelines, the costs of operations referred to in point (582)(c) of the Guidelines, which consist of investments, in particular direct costs of specific projects linked to the implementation of a forest management plan or equivalent, must be limited to the eligible costs and maximum aid intensities of investment aid in the forestry sector, as specified in Section 2.1 of Part II of the Guidelines relating to the investment aid.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

2.7. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON START-UP AID FOR PRODUCER GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR

This information sheet must be used in relation to the start-up aid for producer groups and organisations in the forestry sector as described in Part II., Section 2.7. of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas ('the Guidelines').

1.Please confirm that only producer groups or organisations that have been officially recognised by the competent authority of the Member State concerned on the basis of a submission of a business plan are eligible for aid:

□yes □no

2.Is the Member State obliged to verify that the objectives of the business plan have been reached within a period of five years from the date of recognition of the producer group or organisation?

□yes □no

3.Please confirm that the agreements, decisions and other behaviour concluded in the framework of the producer group or organisation comply with the competition rules as they apply by virtue of Articles 206 to 210a of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013:

□yes □no

4.Please confirm that no aid is granted to:

(a) production organisations, entities or bodies, such as companies or cooperatives, the objective of which is the management of one or more forestry holdings and which must therefore be considered as single producers;

(b) other forestry associations which undertake tasks, such as mutual support and forestry management services, in the members' holding without being involved in the joint adaptation of supply to the market. □yes □no

5.Is aid granted producer groups or organisations or, up to the same overall amount, directly to producers to offset their contributions to the costs of running the groups or organisations during the first five years following the formation of the group?

□yes □no

6.Please indicate the eligible costs:

(a) □the rental of suitable premises;

(b) □the acquisition of office equipment, administrative staff costs, overheads, legal and administrative fees, the acquisition of computer hardware and the acquisition or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions;

7.Where the aid is granted for the purchase of premises mentioned in question 6(a) of this Information sheet, are the costs limited to rental costs at market rates?

□yes □no

8.Please confirm that no aid will be paid in respect of costs incurred after the fifth year from the recognition of the producer group or organisation by the competent authority of the Member State on the basis of its business plan:

□yes □no

9.Where the aid is paid in annual instalments, will the Member State pay the last instalment only after having checked the correct implementation of the business plan?

□yes □no

10.Please indicate the aid intensity and the aid amount:

Please note that pursuant to point (593) of the Guidelines, aid intensity must not exceed 100 % of the eligible costs and pursuant to point (594) of the Guidelines, the total amount of aid must be limited to EUR 500 000 :

11.In case of providing aid directly to producers to offset their contributions to the cost of running the group or organisations during the first five years following the formation of the group or organisation, can you confirm that the aid may be granted up to the same overall amount?

□yes □no

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

2.8. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON OTHER AID TO THE FORESTRY SECTOR WITH ECOLOGICAL, PROTECTIVE AND RECREATIONAL OBJECTIVES

This information sheet must be used in relation to State aid in the forestry sector with ecological, protective and recreational objectives as described in Part II., Section 2.8. of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas ('the Guidelines').

1.COMMON PROVISIONS

1.1.Please confirm that the primary objective of the State aid measure is to maintain, improve or restore ecological, protective and recreational functions of forests, biodiversity and a healthy forest ecosystem:

□yes □no

1.2.Please describe how the measures directly contribute to maintaining or restoring the ecological, protective and recreational functions of forests, biodiversity and a healthy forest ecosystem:

1.3.Please confirm that no aid will be granted to forest-based industries or for commercially viable extraction of timber or for transportation of timber or the processing of wood or other forestry resources into products or for energy generation.

□yes □no

1.4.Please confirm that no aid will be granted for felling the primary purpose of which is the commercially viable extraction of timber or for restocking where the felled trees are replaced by equivalent ones.

□yes □no

1.5.Please indicate the aid intensity: …

Please note that pursuant to point (598) of the Guidelines, aid for all measures referred to in Section 2.8. of the Guidelines must not exceed 100 % of eligible costs.

1.6.Is aid granted to undertakings active in the forestry sector?

□yes □no

2.CATEGORIES OF AID

2.1.□Aid for specific forest actions and interventions with the primary objective to contribute to maintaining or to restoring forest ecosystem and biodiversity or the traditional landscape.

2.1.1.Please confirm that the primary objective of aid for planting, pruning, thinning and felling of trees and other vegetation in existing forests, the removal of fallen trees, and the planning costs of such measures, aid for the costs of treating and preventing the spreading of pests, tree diseases and invasive alien species and aid to make good the damage caused by the pests and tree diseases and invasive alien species, is to contribute to maintaining or to restoring forest ecosystem and biodiversity or the traditional landscape:

□yes □no

2.1.2.Please describe the measure in more details:

2.1.3.Please specify the eligible costs of the aid for treating and preventing the spreading of pests, tree diseases and invasive alien species and aid to make good the damage caused by the pests, tree diseases and invasive alien species:

(a) □costs for preventive and treatment measures, including soil preparation for replanting, and the products, appliances and materials necessary for such measures. Where the aid is granted for these costs, please confirm that the principles of integrated pest management set out in Article 14 of and Annex III to Directive 2009/128/EC ([^E0602]) are complied with, in particular for what concerns the use of plant protection products, as required by Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 ([^E0603]): □yes □no

(b) □loss of stock and restocking costs up to the market value of the stock destroyed on the order of the authorities to fight the disease or pest in question. When calculating the increment loss, the potential increment of the stock destroyed until the normal felling age may be taken into consideration.

2.2. □Aid for maintaining and improving the soil quality and ensuring a balanced and healthy tree growth in the forestry sector.

2.2.1.Is aid granted for maintaining and improving the soil quality in forests and ensuring balanced and healthy tree growth?

□yes □no

2.2.2.Please describe the measure in more details:

2.2.3.Do the measures include soil improvement by fertilisation and other treatments to maintain its natural balance, reducing excessive vegetation density and ensuring sufficient water retention and proper drainage, including their planning costs?

□yes □no

2.2.4.Is aid granted for the planning costs of such measures?

□yes □no

2.2.5.Please explain how it is ensured that the measures do not reduce biodiversity, cause nutrient leaching or adversely affect natural water ecosystems or water protection zones.

2.3. □Aid for restoration and maintenance of natural pathways, landscape elements and features and natural habitat for animals in the forestry sector.

2.3.1.Are the eligible costs linked to restoration and maintenance of natural pathways, landscape elements and features and the natural habitat for animals, including planning costs?

□yes □no

2.3.2.Please describe the measure and eligible costs in more details:

2.3.3.Please confirm that measures aiming at the implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC ([^E0604]) and Directive 2009/147/EC ([^E0605]) are excluded from this type of aid (those measures must be covered by the form related to Section 2.2 of Part II. of the Guidelines).

□yes □no

2.4. □Aid for maintaining roads to prevent forest fires

2.4.1.Please confirm that aid for maintaining roads aims at preventing forest fires:

□yes □no

2.4.2.Please describe the aid measure:

2.4.3.Please describe the link between the objective of the aid (preventing forest fires) and the road maintenance:

2.5.□Aid to make good the damage in forests caused by protected animals.

2.5.1.Have reasonable preventive measures proportionate to the risk of damage by the protected animals in the forest area concerned been taken?

□yes □no

In case of impossibility to take such reasonable preventive measures, please explain why no preventive measures are possible:

2.5.2.Please confirm that the direct causal link between the damage suffered and the behavior of the animals is established:

□yes □no

2.5.3.Please confirm that the aid scheme has been established within three years from the occurrence of the event causing the damage and that the aid will be paid out within four years from that date.

□yes □no

2.5.4.Is the damage calculated at the level of the individual beneficiary?

□yes □no

2.5.5.Have the costs of the damage incurred as a direct consequence of the event causing the damage been assessed either by a public authority, by an independent expert recognized by the granting authority or by an insurance undertaking?

□yes □no

2.5.6.Please indicate the type of damage:

(a) □damage to living trees. The aid may be granted to compensate for loss of stock and for restocking costs up to the market value of the stock destroyed by the protected animals. When calculating the market value of the increment loss, the potential increment of the stock destroyed until the normal felling age may be taken into consideration.

(b) □other costs incurred by the beneficiary due to the event causing the damage, such as treatment measures, including soil preparation for replanting and the products, appliances and materials necessary for such operations.

(c) □the material damage to the following assets: forestry equipment, machinery and buildings. The calculation of the material damage must be based on the repair cost or economic value of the affected asset before the event caused the damage. It must not exceed the repair cost or the decrease in fair market value caused by the event, that is to say the difference between the asset's value immediately before and immediately after the event that caused the damage.

2.5.7.Is the amount reduced by any costs not incurred because of the damaging event, which would otherwise have been incurred by the beneficiary?

□yes □no

2.5.8.Is aid and any other payments received to compensate the damage, including payments under national or Union measures or insurance policies, limited to 100 % of the eligible costs?

□yes □no

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

2.9. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR ALIGNED WITH THE AGRICULTURAL AID MEASURES

This information sheet must be used in relation to State aid in the forestry sector aligned with the agricultural aid measures as described in Part II., Section 2.9. of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas ('the Guidelines').

□ Aid for research and development in the forestry sector.

1.Is aided project of interest to all undertakings active in the particular forestry sector or sub-sector concerned?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, provide evidence:

2.Will the following information be published on the internet prior to the date of commencement of the aided project?

(a) the start date of the aided project;

(b) the goals of the aided project;

(d) the place of publication on the internet of the results expected from the aided project;

(e) a statement that the results of the aided project are available to all undertakings active in the forestry sector or sub-sector concerned at no cost. □yes □no

Please provide evidence and give details of the internet address:

3.Will the results of the aided project be:

(a) made available on the internet from the end date of the aided project or the date on which any information concerning those results is given to members of any particular organisation, whatever comes first; □yes □no

(b) made available on the internet, for a period of at least five years starting from the end date of the aided project? □yes □no

If the answer to point (a) or (b) is yes, please provide evidence:

4.Is the aid granted directly to the research and knowledge-dissemination organisation?

□yes □no

5.Please confirm that the aid does not involve the provision of aid based on the price of the forestry products to undertakings active in the forestry sector:

□yes □no

6.Please indicate the eligible costs:

(a) □personnel costs related to researchers, technical and other supporting staff to the extent employed on the project;

(b) □costs of instruments and equipment to the extent and for the period used for the project. Where such instruments and equipment are not used for their full life for the project, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles are considered as eligible;

(c) □costs of buildings and land, to the extent and for the period used for the project. With regard to buildings, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles are considered as eligible. For land, costs of commercial transfer or actually incurred capital costs are eligible;

(d) □costs of contractual research, knowledge and patents bought or licensed from outside sources at arm’s length conditions, as well as costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the project;

(e) □additional overheads and other operating expenses, including costs of materials, supplies and similar products, incurred directly as a result of the project.

7.Please indicate the maximum aid intensity: …

Please note that pursuant to point (623) of the Guidelines, the aid intensity must not exceed 100 % of the eligible costs.

□ Aid for forestry land consolidation.

1.Are the the eligible costs limited to the incurred real legal, administrative and survey costs of land consolidation?

□yes □no

2.Please describe the measure in more details:

3.Please indicate the aid intensity: …

Please note that pursuant to point (623) of the Guidelines, the aid intensity must not exceed 100 % of the eligible costs.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID IN RURAL AREAS

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measure for the rural areas covered by Part II., Chapter 3 of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sectors and in rural areas ('the Guidelines').

If aid for the rural areas is to be granted under Union rules common to all sectors or specific to trade and industry, please use the applicable notification form for those sectors when notifying a State aid measure.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.Please indicate the category of aid:

□ aid for basic services in rural areas;

□ business start-up aid for non-agricultural activities in rural areas;

□ aid for agri-environment-climate commitments in rural areas to beneficiaries other than farmers;

□ aid for area-specific disadvantages resulting from certain mandatory requirements to beneficiaries other than farmers;

□ aid to promote and support quality schemes for cotton or foodstuffs and their use by farmers;

□ aid for cooperation in rural areas, including aid for participating in community-led local development (‘CLLD’) and European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability (‘EIP’) Operational Group projects;

□ aid for setting up mutual funds.

2.Is the aid be granted in the framework of a strategic plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115?

□yes □no

If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market on the basis of the Guidelines.

3.Please indicate the relevant strategic plan and the measure under which the aid is granted:

— Strategic plan: …

— Measure: …

4.Is the measure co-financed by the EAFRD or does it constitute additional national financing?

(a) □co-financed by the EAFRD;

(b) □additional national financing.

5.Is the aid granted in favour of working capital?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, is such aid granted in the form of a financial instrument?

□yes □no

Please note that pursuant to point (635)(b) of the Guidelines, the aid in favour of working capital may be granted only if it is provided in the form of financial instruments.

Please specify the financial instrument(s) used:

6.Is the aid granted as operating aid?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, please note that pursuant to point (635)(c) of the Guidelines, such aid may be considered to be compatible with the internal market only such aid is expressly provided for in the relevant Union legislation.

If that is the case, please refer to the Union legislation concerned:

7.Is the aid available to undertakings in difficulty as defined in point (33)63 of the Guidelines?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, please note that under point (23) of the Guidelines, the Commission considers that when an undertaking is in financial difficulty, given that its very existence is in danger, it cannot be considered an appropriate vehicle for promoting other public policy objectives until such time as its viability is assured. Such aid must therefore comply with the Commission Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty, unless it is exempt from the obligation to notify it.

8.Is the aid available to undertakings which are subject to an outstanding recovery order following a previous Commission decision declaring an aid illegal and incompatible with the internal market?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, please note that such aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

9.Is the aid intended for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energies?

□yes □no

If the answer is yes, please note that the Guidelines do not apply to such aid. In accordance with point (637) of the Guidelines such aid must comply with the Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 ([^E0606]), unless it is exempted from the notification obligation.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned.

…

PART III.12.R.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR THE PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

This notification form must be used for State aid for advertising of products listed in Annex I to the EC-Treaty.

Please note that promotion operations as defined as the dissemination to the general public of scientific knowledge, the organisation of trade fairs or exhibitions, participation in these and similar public relations exercises, including surveys and market research, are not considered as advertising. State aid for such promotion in the broader sense is subject to points IV.j and IV.k of the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007 to 2013 ([^E0607]).

1. Advertising campaigns within the Community

1.1.Where will the measure be carried out?

□ on the market of another Member State;

□ on the home market.

Who will carry out the advertising campaign?

□ producer groups or other organisations, regardless of their size;

□ others (please explain):

1.2.Can your authorities submit samples or mock-ups of the advertising material to the Commission?


□	yes	□	no

If not, please explain why.

1.3.Please provide an exhaustive list of the eligible expenses.

1.4.Who are the beneficiaries of the aid?

□ farmers;

□ producer groups and/or producer organisations;

□ enterprises active in the processing and marketing of agricultural products;

□ others (please specify)

1.5.Can your authorities give the assurance that all producers of the products concerned are able to benefit from the aid in the same manner?


□	yes	□	no

1.6.Will the advertising campaign be earmarked for quality products defined as products fulfilling the criteria to be established pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 ([^E0608]) ?


□	yes	□	no

1.7.Will the advertising campaign be earmarked for EU-recognized denominations with reference to the origin of the products ?


□	yes	□	no

1.8.If yes, will the said reference correspond exactly to the references which have been registered by the Community ?


□	yes	□	no

1.9.Will the advertising campaign be earmarked for products using a national or regional quality label ?


□	yes	□	no

1.10.Does the label make any reference to the national origin of the products concerned?


□	yes	□	no

1.11.If yes, demonstrate that the reference to the origin of the products will be subsidiary in the message.

1.12.Is the advertising campaign of generic character and in the benefit of all producers of the type of product concerned?


□	yes	□	no

1.13.If yes, will the advertising campaign be carried out without reference to the origin of the products ?


□	yes	□	no

If no, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

1.14.Will the advertising campaign be dedicated directly to the products of particular companies ?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

1.15.Will the advertising campaign comply with the provisions of Article 2 of Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs, as well as, where relevant, with the specific labelling rules laid down for various products (wine, dairy products, eggs and poultry) ([^E0609])?


□	yes	□	no

If no, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

1.16.The aid rate will be the following:

□ up to 50 % (indicate the exact rate: %) because the sector will finance the rest of the campaign itself;

□ up to 100 % (indicate the exact rate: %) because the sector will finance the rest of the campaign through parafiscal levies or compulsory contributions;

□ up to 100 % (indicate the exact rate: %) because the advertising campaign is generic and in the benefit of all producers of the type of product concerned.

2. Advertising campaigns in third countries

2.1.Is the advertising campaign in line with the principles of Council Regulation (EC) No 2702/1999 ([^E0610]) ?


□	yes	□	no

If no, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

If yes, provide the elements demonstrating the compliance with the principles of Council Regulation (EC) No 2702/1999

2.2.Is the advertising campaign granted towards specific enterprises ?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

2.3.Does the advertising campaign risk endangering sales of or denigrate products from other Member States ?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please note that under point VI.D of the Guidelines no aid may be granted for such campaigns.

PART III.12.S

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AIDS LINKED TO TAX EXEMPTIONS UNDER DIRECTIVE 2003/96/EC

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measure linked to tax exemptions under directive 2003/96/EC ([^E0611]).

1.Which measure is envisaged ?

□ tax reduction for motor fuels used in primary agricultural production;

□ tax reduction for energy products and electricity used in primary agricultural production.

2.What is the level of the envisaged reduction ?

3.Under which article of Council Directive 2003/96/EC do you want to apply this exemption ?

4.Will there be any differentiation in the level of exemption within the sector concerned ?


□	yes	□	no

5.If the possibility of applying a level of taxation down to zero to energy products and electricity used for agriculture is repealed by the Council, will the exemption envisaged fulfil all the relevant provisions of the directive, without tax differentiation within the sector concerned ?


□	yes	□	no

Please indicate which article(s) of the directive will be applied:

PART III.12.T

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AIDS FOR THE FORESTRY SECTOR

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measure to support forestry covered by Chapter VII of the Community Guidelines on State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector ([^E0612]).

1. Objective of the measure

1.1.Does the measure contribute to maintaining, restoring or improving ecological, protective and recreational functions of forests, biodiversity and a healthy forest ecosystem or does it concern the eligible costs mentioned in points 175 to 181 in Chapter VII of the Guidelines?


□	yes	□	no

If not, please note that only measures concerning at least one of these objectives or eligible costs can be approved under this Chapter.

2. Eligibility criteria

2.1.Does the measure exclude aid to forest based industries or for commercially viable extraction of timber, transportation of timber or for the processing of wood or other forestry resources into products or for energy generation?


□	yes	□	no

If not, please note that aid for the above purposes is excluded from the scope of this Chapter. Please refer to other State aid rules for such aid.

3. Type of aid

3.1.Does the measure include aid for planting, felling, thinning and pruning of trees and other vegetation (point VII.C. a)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please indicate whether the eligible costs concern:

□ planting, felling and pruning in general;

□ removal of fallen trees;

□ restoring forests damaged by air pollution, animals, storms, floods, fire or similar events;

If one of the above apply, please describe the measures and confirm that the primary objective of the measure is to maintain and restore forest ecosystem and biodiversity or the traditional landscape and that no aid is granted for felling whose primary purpose is commercially viable extraction of timber or for restocking where the felled trees are replaced by equivalent ones:

□ afforestation to increase forest cover;

Please describe the environmental reasons justifying the afforestation to increase forest cover and confirm that no aid will be granted for afforestation with species cultivated in the short term:

□ afforestation to promote biodiversity;

Please describe the measure and indicate the areas concerned:

□ afforestation to create wooded areas for recreational purposes;

Are the above wooded areas accessible to the public at no cost for recreational purposes? If not, is access restricted to protect sensitive areas?

□ afforestation to combat erosion and desertification or to promote a comparable protective function of the forest;

Please describe the measures specifying theareas concerned, the protective function envisaged, tree species to be planted and any accompanying and maintenance measures to be undertaken:

□ other (please explain).

3.2.Does the measure include aid for maintaining and improving soil quality in forests and/or ensuring balanced and healthy tree growth (point VII.C. b)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please indicate whether the eligible costs concern:

□ fertilisation;

□ other soil treatments;

Please specify the type of fertilisation and/or other soil treatment

□ reduction of excessive vegetation density;

□. ensuring sufficient water retention and proper drainage.

Please confirm that the above measures will not reduce biodiversity, cause nutrient leaching or adversely affect natural water ecosystems or water protection zones and describe how this will be controlled in practice:

3.3.Does the measure include aid for preventing, eradicating and treating pests, pest damage and tree diseases or preventing and treating damage done by animals or targeted measures to prevent forest fires (point VII.C. c)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please indicate whether the eligible costs concern:

□ prevention and treatment of pests and tree diseases and pest damage or prevention and treatment of damage done by animals;

Please indicate the pests and diseases or animals in question:

Please describe the prevention and treatment methods and mention any necessary products, appliances and materials. Are biological and mechanical prevention and treatment methods preferred when granting aid? If not, please demonstrate that they are not sufficient to fight the disease or pest in question:

□ targeted measures to prevent forest fires.

Please describe the measures:

Is aid granted to compensate for the value of stock destroyed by animals or on the order of the authorities to fight the disease or pest in question?


□	yes	□	no

Please describe how the value of stock will be calculated and confirm that the compensation will be limited to the value thus determined:

3.4.Does the measure include aid for the restoration and maintenance of natural pathways, landscape elements and features and the natural habitat for animals (point VII.C. d)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe the measures:

3.5.Does the measure include aid for constructing, improving and maintaining forest roads and/or visitors' infrastructures (point VII.C.e)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe the measures:

Are the forests and infrastructures used for recreation open to the public at no cost for recreational purposes?


□	yes	□	no

If not, is access restricted to protect sensitive areas or to ensure the proper and safe use of the infrastructures? Please describe the restrictions and the reasons for imposing them:

3.6.Does the measure include aid for the costs of information materials and activities (point VII.C.f)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe the measures and confirm that the supported actions and materials disseminate general information concerning forests and do not contain references to named products or producers or promote domestic products:

3.7.Does the measure include aid for the costs of purchase of forestry land for nature protection purposes (point VII.C.g)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe in detail the nature protection use of the forestry land in question and confirm that this land is entirely and permanently secured for nature protection by means of a statutory or contractual obligation:

3.8.Does the measure include aid for the costs of afforestation of agricultural or non-agricultural land, establishment of agro forestry systems on agricultural land, Natura 2000 payments, forest-environment payments, restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions as well as non productive investments, pursuant to Articles 43 to 49 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 ([^E0613]) or any replacing legislation?


□	yes	□	no

If yes please demonstrate that the measure fulfils the conditions laid down in Articles 43-49 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or any replacing legislation:

3.9.Does the measure include aid for the additional costs and income foregone due to the use of environmentally friendly forest technology?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe in detail the technology used and confirm that it goes beyond the relevant mandatory requirements:

Is the compensation paid on the basis of a voluntary commitment that the forest owner has entered and that satisfies the conditions of Article 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or any replacing legislation?


□	yes	□	no

If not, please note that the aid cannot be authorized under Chapter VII of the Guidelines. If yes, describe the commitments:

3.10.Does the measure include aid for the costs of purchase of forestry land (other than forestry land for environmental protection purposes, see point 3.7 above)?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe the measure and indicate the aid intensity:

3.11.Does the measure include aid for the costs of training, consultancy services, such as, establishment of business plans or forestry management plans, feasibility studies, as well as participation in competitions, exhibitions and fairs?


□	yes	□	no

If yes please demonstrate that the measure fulfils the conditions laid down in Article 15 of the Exemption Regulation:

3.12.Does the measure include aid for the setting up of forestry associations?


□	yes	□	no

If yes please demonstrate that the measure fulfils the conditions laid down in Article 9 of the Exemption Regulation:

3.13.Does the measure include aid in favour of vulgarisation of new techniques, such as reasonable small scale pilot projects or demonstration projects?


□	yes	□	no

If yes please describe the measures and demonstrate that they fulfil the conditions set out in point 107 of the Guidelines:

4. Amount of aid

4.1.Is the aid for measures indicated under points 3.1 to 3.7 limited to 100 % of the eligible costs and overcompensation excluded?


□	yes	□	no

Please describe how the exclusion of overcompensation will be controlled:

4.2.Is the aid for measures indicated under point 3.8 limited to the maximum intensity or amount laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or any replacing legislation?


□	yes	□	no

Are the mesures indicated under point 3.8 being co-financed under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or any replacing legislation or is such co-financing envisaged or possible?


□	yes	□	no

If yes, please describe how any double funding leading to overcompensation will excluded:

4.3.Can the compensation for measures indicated under point 3.9 be granted above the maximum aid rate for aid under Article 47 fixed in the Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, but in no case more than the demonstrated additional costs and income foregone?


□	yes	□	no

In both cases, please indicate the aid amount and describe how it is calculated. If yes, please describe the specific circumstances and the effect of the measure to the environment and present calculations showing that the additional amounts of aid are limited to the demonstrated additional costs and/or income foregone:

4.4.Is the aid for the measures indicated under point 3.10 is limited to the maximum aid intensity laid down in Article 4 of the Exemption Regulation for the purchase of agricultural land?


□	yes	□	no

Please describe how the exclusion of overcompensation will be controlled:

4.5.Is the aid for measures indicated under points 3.11 to 3.13 limited to the maximum aid intensity laid down in the applicable rules of the Exemption Regulation or the Guidelines?


□	yes	□	no

Please describe how the exclusion of overcompensation will be controlled:

PART III.13.A

Supplementary Information Sheet on investment aid to airports

It is recommended that this supplementary information sheet be completed in addition to the ‘General information’ form, for the notification of any investment aid covered by the Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines ([^E0614]).

1. Additional information on the beneficiary, investment project and aid

1.1. Beneficiary

1.1.1. Is the aid awarded directly to the owner of the airport?


□yes	□no

1.1.2. If the answer to point 1.1.1 is no, please describe, if applicable, (i) the legal entity/-ies receiving the aid, and (ii) the legal entity/-ies transferring the aid to an intermediate entity or to the airport carrying out the investment project:

1.1.3. If the answer to point 1.1.1 is no, please explain how the national authorities ensure that that there is no advantage granted at the intermediary levels:

1.1.4. In the case of individual aid, please describe the legal, organisational and financial relationships between the recipient of the aid and (i) the undertakings with which it forms part of a group of undertakings; (ii) its subsidiaries; (iii) any other associated enterprises, including joint ventures.

In the case of aid schemes, please describe the method by which the aid granting authority will assess the legal, organisational and financial relations enumerated above:

1.1.5. Please specify whether the beneficiary will also operate the infrastructure:


□yes	□no

1.1.6. If the answer to the above question is no, please describe (i) the procedure by which the infrastructure operator will be chosen/respectively has been chosen, and (ii) selection criteria:

1.1.7. Where the airport or airports are used by the national armed forces, the police force, non-economic air rescue services, or any other air service of a non-economic nature, please specify (a) the nature of the service(s) and (b) the rate of airport capacity utilisation (e.g. use of the runway and other airport facilities, expressed as a percentage of annual aircraft movements):

1.1.8. Please provide the following passenger traffic data of the airport(s) receiving the aid:

(a) Airports with a commercial passenger traffic history of more than two financial years: Average annual passenger traffic during the two financial years preceding the year in which the aid is notified or actually granted.

(b) Airports with a commercial passenger traffic history of less than two financial years: Forecasted average annual passenger traffic during the two financial years after the beginning of the operation of commercial passenger air traffic.

(c) For all airports, forecasted average annual passenger traffic during the projected economic lifetime of the subsidised infrastructure.

Please provide the data in the form of a table, as follow:

Year	Total number of passengers

Passenger numbers must be counted ‘one-way’ and for each individual route; e.g. a passenger flying to the airport and back would be counted twice. If the airport is part of a group of airports, passenger traffic data must be established on the basis of each individual airport.

1.2. The investment project

1.2.1. Please describe the investment project and all underlying estimates, and provide the ex-ante business plan (in form of an excel table) on which the project is based. The business plan should cover the economic lifetime of the investment. All estimates should be based on sound demand forecasts. Please explain if, and to what extent, those estimates were taken into account in the beneficiary airport's business plan:

1.2.2. Please provide the following information on the investment project:


Date of application for the aid:
Date of start of works on the investment project:
Planned end of works on the investment project:
Planned date of the start of operation of the investment:
Planned date on which the full capacity is reached:

1.2.3. Please provide, in one single table, a detailed breakdown of all works to be undertaken, their source of financing, their scheduled duration, related cost items and planned date of entry into operation.

Please indicate for each cost item whether and why it should be regarded as an investment cost (i) directly related to infrastructure of a non-economic nature within the public policy remit (e.g. for safety, air traffic control and any other activities for which a Member State is responsible as part of its official powers as a public authority), or (ii) related to aeronautical airport infrastructure of an economic nature (e.g. runway, ground handling infrastructure), or (iii) related to non-aeronautical infrastructure of an economic nature (e.g. parking, hotels):

Type of works	Financing	Cost structure	Timing

1.2.4. Please provide an overview of (i) the total eligible investment costs ([^E0615]) of an economic nature, and (ii) the total eligible costs of a non-economic nature. Costs must be discounted to their current value; the discount rate must be indicated.

Please indicate in that overview which part of the notified aid will support investments belonging to category (i) and which to category (ii):

1.2.5. If investment costs related to non-aeronautical activities of an economic nature will also be financed through State aid, please explain on what basis the authorities consider such aid compatible with the internal market:

1.2.6. Did you or do you commit to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (‘EIA’) for the investment? (point 20 of the Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines)?


□yes	□no

If no, please explain why an EIA is not required for this project:

1.3. Activities of a non-economic nature falling within the public policy remit

1.3.1. Please confirm whether the investment covers activities that fall under the responsibility of the State in the exercise of its official powers as a public authority (e.g. traffic control, police, customs, firefighting, activities necessary to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference). Investments relating to the infrastructure and equipment necessary to perform such activities are considered in general to be of a non-economic nature and thus do not fall within the scope of State aid rules. Please include relevant investments in the table provided in section 1.2.3:


□yes	□no

1.3.2. Please provide the national, regional or any other legal instrument concerning the notion of activities falling within the public policy remit, and their financing. In the absence of any such legal instrument, please clarify how those activities are usually financed by the relevant authorities:

1.3.3. Please provide evidence showing that the public financing of non-economic activities does not lead to undue discrimination between airports. Discrimination arises in situations where, under the relevant legal order, civil airports normally have to bear certain costs inherent to their non-economic activities, whereas certain civil airports do not have to cover such costs. Please specify the material and territorial applicability of the national rules applicable to the financing of non-economic activities of airports and, if applicable, the level of regional competence in that matter:

1.3.4. Please confirm, supported by relevant evidence, that the compensation of costs incurred in relation to non-economic activities will be strictly limited to such costs, and that any cross-subsidisation of economic activities through such compensation is effectively excluded:

1.3.5. Please confirm that the airport will maintain separate cost accounts for economic and non-economic activities:

2. Compatibility assessment of the measure

2.1. Contribution to a well-defined objective of common interest

2.1.1. Does the investment aid:

(a)□ Increase the mobility of Union citizens and the connectivity of the regions by establishing access points for intra-Union flights?

(b)□ Combat air traffic congestion at major Union hub airports?

(c)□ Facilitate regional development?

Please specify how the investment aid contributes to each of the objective chosen.

2.1.2. Is the investment aimed at creating new airport capacity?


□yes	□no

2.1.3. If the answer to the question in point 2.1.2 is ‘yes’, please demonstrate on the basis of the ex-ante business plan referred to in section 1.2 (The investment project) that the new infrastructure will, in the medium-term, meet the forecasted demand of the airlines, passengers and freight forwarders in the catchment area of the airport.

2.1.4. In the case of individual investment aid: is the beneficiary airport located in the same catchment area ([^E0616]) as another airport that is not operating at or near full capacity?


□yes	□no

If yes, please provide the following information: (a) size and shape of the catchment area; (b) the travelling distance and time between the beneficiary airport and airports in the same catchment area; (c) passenger traffic of other airports in the same catchment area over the 5 years preceding the year of notification; (d) the expected total demand and total capacity in the catchment area of the aided airport in at least the next 10 years, according to the business plan in the worst, base and best case scenarios:

2.1.5. In the case of aid schemes: Please (a) indicate the location and the catchment areas of eligible airports in the area of territorial applicability of the scheme; (b) the travelling distance and time between eligible airports and airports in the same catchment area; (c) the method and criteria the national authorities will use to define the size and shape of catchment areas and the capacity utilisation of airports in the same catchment area:

2.1.6. In the case of individual investment aid: If the answer to point 2.1.4 is ‘Yes’, please provide information identifying the likely effect of the investment on the use of existing infrastructure in the same catchment area. That information must demonstrate medium-term prospects for use, must be based on sound passenger and freight traffic forecasts, and must be incorporated in the beneficiary airport's ex-ante business plan:

2.1.7. In the case of individual investment aid: If the answer to point 2.1.4 is ‘Yes’, please provide traffic projections in terms of passenger numbers in the worst, base and best case scenarios and explain why, in your view, such projections justify investment aid for the creation of additional capacity or for maintaining existing capacity:

2.2. Need for State intervention

2.2.1. In case of individual investment aid: please explain, on the basis of the business plan of the airport, to what extent the airport's ability to cover its capital costs depends on the airport's size in terms of annual passenger traffic:

2.2.2. In case of individual investment aid: please explain why the airport could not obtain sufficient private financing:

2.2.3. In the case of aid schemes: Please confirm that the aid granting authority will verify the need for State intervention in each individual case on the basis of (i) the size of the airport ([^E0617]); (ii) the airport's ability to attract private financing:

2.3. Appropriateness of the measure

2.3.1. Please demonstrate that the aid in question is appropriate to achieve the intended objective or resolve the problems which it is meant to address. In particular, please explain how the authorities have established that the same objective cannot be reached, and that the same problem cannot be resolved, with less distortive policy or aid instruments and that the aid in question is an appropriate policy instrument. For example, if the aid is granted in forms that provide a direct pecuniary advantage ([^E0618]), please demonstrate why other potentially less distortive forms of aid such as repayable advances or forms of aid that are based on debt or equity instruments ([^E0619]) are not appropriate:

2.4. Incentive effect of the aid

2.4.1. In the case of individual investment aid: please confirm that works on the notified individual investment started only after submission of the application for the aid to the granting authority. Please provide a copy of the aid application sent to the granting authority by the beneficiary and documentary evidence of the date of the start of works:

2.4.2. In the case of aid schemes: please confirm that works on eligible investment projects will start only after submission of the individual application for the aid to the granting authority:

2.4.3. In the case of individual investment aid: please describe the levels of intended activity in a scenario with aid and a counterfactual scenario without aid. Please provide supporting evidence, for example internal documentation relating to alternative activities considered by the beneficiary airport in its internal decision making:

2.4.4. In the case of individual investment aid: in the presence of a counterfactual scenario with alternative activities, please compare both scenarios to specify the additional activity that would only be undertaken with the aid (counterfactual analysis).

In the case of individual investment aid: In the absence of a counterfactual scenario with alternative activities, please specify the capital cost funding gap established on the basis of the beneficiary airport's ex-ante business plan. The capital cost funding gap is the difference between the positive and negative cash flows, including investment costs into fixed capital assets over the lifetime of the investment in net present value terms:

2.4.5. In the case of aid schemes: please confirm (a) that the granting authority will award individual aid under the aid scheme only after it has verified that there is an incentive effect, by comparing the levels of intended activity with aid and without aid (counterfactual analysis) or, in the absence of alternative activities without aid, by establishing the capital cost funding gap on the basis of the beneficiary airport's ex-ante business plan ([^E0620]); (b) describe all underlying input data, parameters and assumptions that the aid granting authority will assess for the purposes of the incentive effect analysis:

2.5. Proportionality of the aid

2.5.1. In the case of individual investment aid: in the presence of a counterfactual scenario with alternative activities, please (a) provide in the form of excel-tables the ex-ante business plans for the scenario with aid and the counterfactual scenario without aid; (b) on that basis specify the net extra costs, net of extra revenues, which result from undertaking the aided project or activity rather than the counterfactual project/activity; (c) explain all underlying input data, parameters and assumptions.

The business plans should cover the period of the economic lifetime of the investments:

2.5.2. In the case of individual investment aid: in the absence of a counterfactual scenario with alternative activities, please (a) provide in the form of an excel-table the ex-ante business plan of the beneficiary airport; (b) indicate on that basis the capital costs funding gap which is the net present value of the difference between the positive and negative cash flows, including investment costs, over the economic lifetime of the investment; (c) explain all underlying input data, parameters and assumptions:

2.5.3. In the case of aid schemes: please commit (a) to investigate in each case the counterfactual scenario without aid, on the basis of ex-ante business plans; (b) to establish the extra costs, net of extra revenues, which result from undertaking the aided project or activity rather than the counterfactual project or activity in cases where a counterfactual scenario with alternative activities exists; (c) to establish the capital costs funding gap, which is the net present value of the difference between the positive and negative cash flows, including investment costs, over the economic lifetime of the investment, in cases where no alternative activities would have taken place.

Please describe all underlying input data, parameters and assumptions that the aid granting authority will assess for the purposes of the investigations and analysis:

2.5.4. Aid intensity:

Please indicate the maximum percentage of the eligible costs to be covered by investment aid (‘aid intensity’); including any top-ups on the basic aid intensity:

Where an aid scheme applies to airports of various sizes, please indicate the maximum aid intensity applicable to the following groups of airports:

Size of airport based on average passenger traffic (passengers per annum)	Maximum investment aid intensity
> 3-5 million
1-3 million
< 1 million

2.6. Avoidance of negative effects on competition and trade

2.6.1. Please confirm that the airport, including all infrastructure and equipment for which investment aid is granted, will be open to all potential users and not be dedicated to one specific user:

2.6.2. Please specify the provisions made to ensure that airport capacity will be allocated to users on the basis of pertinent, objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria:

2.7. Notification of individual aid under an investment aid scheme

2.7.1. The following individual aid measures under the investment aid scheme must be notified pursuant to Article 108(3) TFEU:

(a) investment aid to airports with average annual traffic above 3 million passengers;

(b) investment aid with an aid intensity exceeding 75 % to an airport with average annual traffic below 1 million passengers, with the exception of airports located in remote regions;

(d) investment aid financing a mixed passenger and freight airport handling more than 200 000 tonnes of freight during the two financial years preceding that in which the aid is notified;

(e) investment aid aimed at the creation of a new passenger airport (including the conversion of an existing airfield into a passenger airport);

(f) investment aid aimed at the creation or development of an airport located within 100 kilometres distance or 60 minutes travelling time by car, bus, train or high-speed train from an existing airport.

PART III.13.B

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON OPERATING AID TO AIRPORTS

It is recommended that this supplementary information sheet is completed, in addition to the 'General information' form, for the notification of any individual operating aid covered by the Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines ([^E0621]) .

1.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE BENEFICIARY AND ITS ACTIVITIES

It is recommended that this supplementary information sheet is completed, in addition to the 'General information' form, for the notification of any individual operating aid covered by the Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines ([^E0622]) .

1.1. Beneficiary

1.1.1. Is the aid awarded directly to the operator of the airport?

□Yes □No

1.1.2. If the answer to point 1.1.1 is no, please describe, if applicable, (i) the legal entity/-ies receiving the aid, and (ii) the legal entity/-ies responsible for transferring the aid as intermediary/-ies to the airport providing the services eligible for the aid.

1.1.3. If the answer to point 1.1.1 is ‘no’, please explain how the authorities ensure that that there is no advantage granted at the intermediary levels.

1.1.4. Is the beneficiary of the aid also the owner of the airport?

□Yes □No

1.1.5. If the answer to point 1.1.4 is ‘no’: please specify who is/will be the owner of the airport and describe the ownership structure.

1.1.6. In the case of individual aid, please describe the legal, organisational and financial relationships between the recipient of the aid and (i) the undertakings with which it forms part of a group of undertakings; (ii) its subsidiaries; (iii) any other associated enterprises, including joint ventures.

In the case of aid schemes, please describe the method by which the aid granting authority will assess the legal, organisational and financial relationships referred to in points 1.1.1 to 1.1.5.

1.2. General information about the airport operator

1.2.1. Where the airport or the airports are used by the national armed forces, the police force, non-economic air rescue services, or any other air service of a non-economic nature, please specify (a) the nature of the service(s); and (b) the rate of airport capacity utilisation (e.g. use of the runway and other airport facilities, expressed as a percentage of annual aircraft movements).

1.2.2. Please provide the following passenger traffic data of the airport(s) receiving the aid:

(a) Airports with a commercial passenger traffic history of more than two financial years: average annual passenger traffic during the two financial years preceding the year in which the aid is notified or actually granted.

(b) Airports with a commercial passenger traffic history of less than two financial years: forecasted average annual passenger traffic during the two financial years after the beginning of the operation of commercial passenger air traffic flows.

Please provide the data in the form of a table, as follows: [copied from page 188, point 2.2.3]

Year	Total number of passengers

Passenger numbers must be counted ‘one-way’ and for each individual route. For example: a passenger flying to the airport and back would be counted twice. If the airport is part of a group of airports, passenger traffic data must be established on the basis of each individual airport.

1.2.3. In the case of individual operating aid: please provide the business plan that the beneficiary has implemented in the period 2009–2013, and that it intends to implement until 4 April 2027. Please describe the assumptions underlying those business plans.

The business plan must contain information on traffic and traffic forecasts; costs and cost forecasts; financial data and financial forecasts as regards the level of profitability and cash-flows (by reference to methodologies which are demonstrably used by the airport, e.g. using methods for evaluating the net present value of an investment (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR), and the average return on capital employed (ROCE). The business plan must be provided in an excel format including explanations of all underlying formulas.

In the case of aid schemes, please specify in detail (a) the formal and material criteria to which business plans of eligible airports must conform; (b) the method the national authorities will use to assess the business plans.

1.2.4. In the case of individual operating aid, please provide a summary overview of operating losses ([^E0623])the beneficiary incurred in the period 2009–2013, as well as of forecasted operating losses in the remaining period until 4 April 2027. Please provide the data in the form of a table, structured as follows:


Revenue
…
Operating costs
…
Other
…
Operating results

In the case of aid schemes, please specify the method the authorities will use to establish the operating losses of eligible airports.

1.2.5. In the case of individual operating aid, please provide copies of the eligible airports’ financial reports ([^E0624])for the 5 years preceding the year of application for operating aid.

In the case of aid schemes, please commit to include the above described financial reports in the assessment of individual aid.

1.2.6. Please specify the provisions made to avoid overcompensation and recover excess amounts from the beneficiary.

1.3. Airport service activities

1.3.1. Please specify the eligible airport services ([^E0625])and the categories of eligible operating costs ([^E0626])in respect of the provision of those services.

1.4. Activities falling within the public policy remit

1.4.1. Does the operating aid cover activities that fall under State responsibility in the exercise of its official powers as a public authority (e.g. air traffic control, police, customs, firefighting, activities necessary to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference)? Operating costs relating to the infrastructure and equipment necessary to perform such activities are considered in general to be of a non-economic nature and thus do not fall within the scope of State aid rules.

□Yes □No

1.4.2. Please provide the relevant national, regional or any other legal instrument concerning the notion of activities falling within the public policy remit and their financing. In absence of any such legal instrument, please clarify how those activities are usually financed by the relevant authorities.

1.4.3. Please provide evidence showing that the public financing of non-economic activities does not lead to undue discrimination between airports. Discrimination arises in situations where, under the relevant legal order, civil airports normally have to bear certain costs inherent to their non-economic activities, whereas certain civil airports do not have to cover such costs. Please specify the material and territorial applicability of the national rules applicable to the financing of non-economic activities of airports and, if applicable, the level of regional competences in that matter.

1.4.4. Please confirm, supported by relevant evidence, that the compensation of costs incurred in relation to non-economic activities will be strictly limited to such costs, and that any cross-subsidisation of economic activities through such compensation is effectively excluded.

1.4.5. Please confirm that the airport will maintain separate cost accounts for economic and non-economic activities.

2.COMPATIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURE

2.1. Was the aid granted before 4 April 2014?

□Yes □No

2.2. Contribution to a well-defined objective of common interest

2.2.1. Does the operating aid:

(a) □Increase the mobility of Union citizens and the connectivity of the regions by establishing access points for intra-Union flights?

(b) □Combat air traffic congestion at major Union hub airports?

Please specify how the operating aid contributes to the objective(s) chosen.

2.2.2. Does the notified measure concern the operator of a new airport?

□Yes □No

2.2.3. In the case of individual operating aid: Is the beneficiary airport located in the same catchment area ([^E0627])of another airport with spare capacity?

□Yes □No

2.2.4. In the case of individual operating aid: If the answer to point 2.2.3 is yes, please specify the size and shape of the catchment area. Please provide information, identifying the likely effect on the traffic of the other airport located in that catchment area. That information should be part of the beneficiary airport’s business plan and should be based on sound passenger and freight traffic forecasts.

In the case of aid schemes: Please (a) confirm that the authorities are committed to assess the likely effect on the traffic of any other airport(s) located in the same catchment area as an eligible airport on the basis of information that is part of the beneficiary airport’s business plan and is based on sound passenger and freight traffic forecasts; (b) explain the method and the criteria the national authorities will use to assess the likely effect on the traffic of that other airport or those other airports.

2.3. Need for State intervention

2.3.1. Please confirm that the annual traffic of the airport/eligible airports does not exceed 3 million passengers (see also question 1.2.2).

2.4. Appropriateness of the measure

2.4.1. Please demonstrate that the aid in question is appropriate to achieve the intended objective or resolve the problems which it intendeds to address. In particular, please explain how the authorities have established that the same objective cannot be reached, or the same problem cannot be resolved, through less distortive policy or aid instruments. For example, if the aid is granted in forms that provide a direct pecuniary advantage ([^E0628]), please demonstrate why other potentially less distortive forms of aid such as repayable advances or forms of aid that are based on debt or equity instruments ([^E0629])are not appropriate:

2.4.2. In the case of individual operating aid: Has the aid amount been established ex-ante as a fixed sum covering the expected operating funding gap determined on the basis of the business plan of the beneficiary?

□Yes □No

If yes, please provide relevant information in the business plan.

2.4.3. In the case of aid schemes: will the aid amount in each individual case be established ex-ante as a fixed sum covering the expected operating funding gap determined on the basis of the business plan of the beneficiary?

□Yes □No

If yes, the beneficiary should provide relevant information in the business plan.

2.4.4. If the answer to points 2.4.2 and 2.4.3 is ‘no’, please specify: (a) the degree of uncertainty of cost and revenue forecasts, (b) any information asymmetries that prevent the national authorities from calculating the aid amount ex ante on the basis of a business plan.

2.4.5. If the answer to points 2.4.2 and 2.4.3 is ‘no’, please confirm that the maximum amount of compatible operating aid was/will be established according to a model based on the average of the operating funding gaps ([^E0630])during the five years from 2009 to 2013.

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