State aid: Commission approves €30.7 million Bulgarian scheme to support air carriers affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has found a €30.7 million (BGN 60 million) Bulgarian scheme to support air carriers affected by the coronavirus pandemic to be in line with the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme consists of two types of support. Under both of them, the support will take the form of direct grants. The first one provides support for the uncovered fixed costs for air carriers that suffered a decline in turnover between March 2020 and December 2021 of at least 30%, compared to the same period of 2019. The second type of support consists in limited amounts of aid for companies that suffered a decline in turnover over 2020 lower than 30%, compared to the same period 2019. The scheme will be open to air carriers of all sizes holding a Bulgarian operating licence. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of these companies and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Bulgarian scheme in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed (i) €12 million per beneficiary under the first type of support; and (ii) €2.3 million per beneficiary under the second type of support. Under both of them, the support will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions of the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.100321 in the State aid register on the Commission's competitionwebsite once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.