Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000450/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Adrian-George Axinia (ECR)
The Commission’s answer to our question E-001390/2024 on State aid for the new Alcochete airport in Portugal basically stated that it was unaware of any State aid having been granted[1].
Portuguese media recently reported on large tax benefits to state-owned airline TAP Air Portugal, which is soon due to be privatised. This follows EUR 3.28 million in State aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not yet been reimbursed.
In August the Portuguese Government announced a subsidised EUR 20 per month national rail pass. This seems to infringe every competition rule, undermining the economics of private railway operators.
The Portuguese Government may be grossly distorting competition in the European airport, commercial aviation and railway sectors, setting bad precedents and potentially impacting the large neighbouring Spanish market, in particular.
The mission letter to the new Executive Vice-President responsible for the competition portfolio clearly states that she ‘should preserve the level playing field while pursuing further simplification of State Aid, prioritising work on the most distortive aids.’
State aid cannot be overlooked. It is the Commission’s duty to proactively scrutinise and enforce EU policies.
Therefore:
Given the many worrying signs, what scrutiny is being exercised over State aid for Lisbon’s new airport in Alcochete, for the privatisation of TAP Air Portugal and for Portuguese railways?
Submitted: 3.2.2025
- [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-001390-ASW_EN.html.