52004XC0127(03)

Imposition by France of public service obligations on scheduled air services within France

(2004/C 22/05)

1. Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, France has decided to impose public service obligations on scheduled air services between Toulon-Hyères and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry.

2. From 1 May 2004, the public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services between Toulon-Hyères and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry are as follows:

Minimum frequency

The minimum level of service provided must be:

- two return trips per day, morning and evening, from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, 235 days a year,

- one return trip on Saturday morning, 45 days a year,

- one return trip on Sunday evening, 45 days a year.

The services must be operated without a stopover between Toulon and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry.

Type of aircraft used and capacity provided

The services must be operated with a pressurised aircraft having a seating capacity of at least 30.

Timetables

Timetables must be such as to enable passengers on business trips during the working week to make a round trip within the day.

Timetables must be such as to enable transit passengers to take national and international connecting flights at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport, morning and evening.

Flight bookings

Flights must be marketed using at least one computerised reservation system.

Continuity of service

Except in cases of force majeure, the number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 3 % of the number of flights scheduled in any year. The carrier must give six months' notice before discontinuing these services.

Community carriers are hereby informed that the operation of air services without regard to the abovementioned public service obligations may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.