INHALT

Commission Decision (EU) 2025/775 of 29 April 2024 on the State aid SA.59344 – 2021/C (ex 2021/N, ex 2020/PN) – Restructuring aid to TAROM (notified under document C(2025) 2968)

COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2025/775
of 29 April 2024
on the State aid SA.59344 – 2021/C (ex 2021/N, ex 2020/PN) – Restructuring aid to TAROM
(notified under document C(2025) 2968)
(Only the English text is authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
1.
PROCEDURE
2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURES
2.1.
The beneficiary
2.2.
The background of the measures
2.2.1.
The rescue aid
2.2.2.
The financial difficulties of TAROM
2.3.
The restructuring aid measures
2.4.
The initial restructuring plan for TAROM
2.5.
Reasons for initiating the formal investigation procedure
2.5.1.
Appropriateness of aid
2.5.2.
Own contribution
2.5.3.
Burden sharing
2.5.4.
Restoration of long-term viability and restructuring within a reasonable timescale
2.5.5.
Presence and effectiveness of meaningful measures to limit distortions of competition
3.
OBSERVATIONS OF ROMANIA
4.
COMMENTS FROM THE THIRD PARTY
5.
OBSERVATIONS OF ROMANIA ON THE COMMENTS FROM THE THIRD PARTY
6.
THE UPDATED RESTRUCTURING PLAN
6.1.
Alternative scenario without the aid
6.2.
Restructuring measures
6.2.1.
Fleet renewal
6.2.2.
Commercial optimisation
6.2.3.
Organisational efficiency
6.2.4.
Cost optimisation
6.3.
Financing of the restructuring plan
6.3.1.
Restructuring costs
6.3.2.
Sources of financing of the restructuring measures
(a)
Public funding
(b)
Own contribution
(c)
Other expected sources of revenues
6.3.3.
Burden sharing
6.4.
Financial projections
Figure 1
Scenarios for (Romania specific) air passenger demand recovery (index 2019 = 100)
6.5.
Measures to limit distortions of competition
6.5.1.
Structural measures
6.5.2.
Behavioural measures
6.6.
Effects of TAROM’s market exit
6.7.
Commitments provided by Romania
6.8.
Complaint by Wizz Air Malta
6.9.
Romania’s observations on the complaint by Wizz Air Malta
7.
ASSESSMENT OF THE RESTRUCTURING AID MEASURES
7.1.
Existence of State aid
7.1.1.
State resources and imputability to the State
7.1.2.
Advantage
7.1.3.
Selectivity
7.1.4.
Distortion of competition and effect on trade
7.1.5.
Conclusion on the existence of State aid
7.2.
Lawfulness of the restructuring aid measures
7.3.
Compatibility of the aid with the internal market
7.3.1.
Eligibility: sectoral scope and undertaking in difficulty
7.3.2.
The aid facilitates the development of certain economic activities or certain economic areas
7.3.2.1.
Prevention of social hardship or market failure contributing to the development of an economic activity or area
7.3.2.2.
Restructuring plan and return to long-term viability
Figure 2
Load factor
(89)
for the top five airlines active in Romania (%, 2019-2023 estimate)
Figure 3
Evolution of TAROM’s capacity and regulated flights
(91)
Figure 4
Chart from IATA’s Jet Fuel Price Monitor web page as of 15 December 2023 (
https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/fuel-monitor/
)
Figure 5
Chart from IATA’s Jet Fuel Price Monitor web page as of April 2024 (
https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/fuel-monitor/
)
Figure 6
Outcome of the sensitivity analyses on the level of TAROM’s equity position and net income
(108)
(YE 2026) in the case of a sale of the […] slot
7.3.3.
Effect on competition and trading conditions between Member States
7.3.3.1.
Necessity and incentive effect of the aid
7.3.3.2.
Appropriateness of the aid
7.3.3.3.
Proportionality
7.3.3.4.
‘One time, last time’ principle
7.3.3.5.
Measures limiting distortions of competition
7.3.3.6.
Transparency and reporting
7.3.3.7.
Balancing positive and negative effects
7.4.
The assessment of the complaint submitted by Wizz Air Malta
7.5.
Conclusion on compatibility
8.
CONCLUSION
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3