The Application of EU Competition Rules in the Transport Sector

Itai Rabinovici , DG Competition explores The Application of EU Competition Rules in the Transport Sector.

ABSTRACT: The decision attracting most attention in the transport sector in the period under consideration was the State aid decision relating to the Greek tonnage tax, while Estonian Air and Cyprus Airways were under investigation in the State aid area. After blocking several earlier attempts, the Commission cleared the acquisition of Aer Lingus and TNT Express and also approved the acquisition of sole control of Eurostar by SNCF. The Commission imposed fines on subsidiaries of ÖBB and DB for their participation in the block trains cartel, while it conducted an unannounced inspection in the rail passenger sector in Austria and sent a statement of objections on the Lithuanian railway company. Further, the Commission adopted a decision in relation to the SkyTeam air alliance.