Airport in Aalborg protests against financial aid received by airport in Aarhus

Airport in Aalborg protests against financial aid received by airport in Aarhus

In a recent development, Aalborg Airport has lodged a complaint with the European Union Commission, alleging that the funding received by Aarhus Airport from three local municipalities creates an unfair competitive advantage.

According to reports, Aarhus Airport has received over 600 million kroner in public funds from Aarhus, Norddjurs, and Syddjurs. This funding has been instrumental in helping the airport stay afloat despite struggling with low passenger numbers and profitability. However, no publicly available information indicates an ongoing EU complaint against Aarhus Airport related to this funding.

The Mayor of Aarhus, Anders Winnerskjold, has stated that an "external legal consultation" has advised Aarhus Municipality that all rules relating to the airport's funding have been complied with. This statement was made in a written response to DR.

On the other hand, Thomas Kastrup Larsen, the director of Aalborg Airport, argues that Aarhus Airport's funding creates an unfair competitive advantage, causing Aalborg to miss out on some routes.

Meanwhile, budget airline Ryanair pulled all of its services from both Aalborg and Billund airports but not from Aarhus or Copenhagen. Ryanair's decision to withdraw was due to a recently-introduced government tax on passenger air travel, which applies at all Danish airports.

The cost of offering equivalent terms to airlines as those at Aarhus Airport is estimated to be an eight-figure number (in kroner) for Aalborg Airport. However, no new information about any favorable conditions offered to airlines by Aarhus Airport was provided.

At this juncture, it is unclear how the EU Commission will respond to Aalborg Airport's complaint. The situation underscores the complexities of funding local infrastructure and the potential impact on regional competition. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the EU Commission and the Danish government address these concerns.

In light of the argument from Thomas Kastrup Larsen, the director of Aalborg Airport, that Aarhus Airport's funding creates an unwarranted competitive advantage, potentially diverting some travel routes from Aalborg, it might be fascinating to see if Aalborg pursues sponsored art projects or rebrands its services to highlight its unique lifestyle offerings, striving to attract travelers beyond just the factors of affordable airfare and convenience.

Given the ongoing controversy surrounding Aarhus Airport's public funding, it would also be worth monitoring the news for updates on the EU Commission's response to Aalborg Airport's complaint and any subsequent changes in the lifestyle, art, or travel sectors within the region, as this could signal a shift in priorities aimed at counterbalancing the perceived competitive edge held by Aarhus.

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