Recently, Concurrences published an e-Competitions Bulletin on State Aid in the Transport Sector, including a foreword by our directors, Elżbieta Głowicka and Anselm Mattes.

State aid control in the transport sector has seen a lot of activity over the past two years. Both the European Commission and the EFTA Surveillance Authority have actively investigated or approved State aid granted by eight different countries.

Half of these cases concerned air transport, still echoing the turbulence of the COVID-19 crisis. The remaining cases spanned maritime, rail, and road transport. Each raises unique legal and economic questions about the compatibility of State support with EU rules.

The latest special issue of the e-Competitions Bulletin has compiled Commission decisions, court judgments and commentaries on State aid in the transport sector. In the foreword, Anselm and Ela provide an overview of the general principles guiding the compatibility assessment of State aid in transport. They highlight major cases across different modes of transport, which are particularly relevant for legal practitioners and economists navigating this evolving landscape.

As the rail sector gains increasing prominence in the EU’s decarbonisation and sustainability agenda, understanding the legal and economic parameters of permissible State support is more crucial than ever. The foreword offers valuable insights for lawyers specialising in competition and State aid, shedding light on recent regulatory trends and key issues shaping the future of transport policy in Europe.

Link to publication (behind pay wall)