Latest update October 2019
Overview
Please see the download section on the top right hand corner of this page to read the overview of this section and scroll down the page to read the latest updates on ERA's activities and position.
ERA's Current Position
ERA’s publication ‘Public Service Obligation (PSO) Routes in Europe’ has been published and is available to download from the ERA website.
This document provides a summary of the regulatory framework on the nature, conditions and requirements set out in Articles 16-18 of the EU Air Services Regulation 1008/2008 governing Public Service Obligation routes.
It aims to provide guidance for members operating or seeking to operate PSO routes within the European Union.
The document can be downloaded here.
Update
Latest update October 2019: The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport is considering possible legislative changes as a follow-up to the retrospective evaluation of the “Air Services Regulation” (Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community). ERA participated in the targeted consultation that has been carried out in the framework of the impact assessment accompanying a possible future revision of the legislation. The consultation covered the PSOs as well and ERA recommended the Commission to ensure that a more transparent, non-discriminatory, uniform and consistent implementation and enforcement of existing PSO rules across Europe are delivered. Further, it was suggested that EU decision-makers might propose new policies to promote and encourage European connectivity through the greater use of Public Service Obligation (PSO) regimes and to be consistent in the application of PSO legislation across EU member states.
Latest update June 2017: after a consultation process (during which ERA also submitted its comments), in June 2017 the European Commission published interpretative Guidelines on Public Service Obligations (PSO) being regulated in EC Regulation 1008/2008 (please see the Downloads section). The new guidelines are expected to bring greater transparency, consistency and clarity to EU airlines and Member States’ authorities as to how the Commission interprets the current rules. More clarity for both states and the airlines should ultimately lead to better air services and increased connectivity across Europe. ERA has also produced a concise and comprehensive “PSO brochure” to provide members with further guidance on this specific subject. The document is available on the ERA website, click here to view.