The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Italian plans to grant restructuring aid of €25 millionto Aerdorica S.p.A., the operator of "Aeroporto delle Marche" in Ancona, Italy. Aerdorica employs 100 people and provides services to passengers, airlines, cargo, business partners and to all operators using the airport facilities...
It is currently undergoing insolvency proceedings before the national court. Following rescue aid approved by the Commission in June 2017, Italy notified to the Commission its plans to grant restructuring aid to Aerdorica. Under EU State aid rules, companies in financial difficulty can only receive state aid for the objective of restoring their long-term viability and on the basis of clear conditions. In particular, the Commission's 2014 Guidelines on the rescue and restructuring of non-financial companies require companies to work out a sound restructuring plan, which must include measures to limit distortions of competition arising from the public aid. Under the Italian plans for Aerdorica, the total restructuring costs will be funded partially by the €25 million capital contribution from the Marche Region and matched by contributions from the company's own resources and private market players, including €15 million fresh capital by a new investor, Njord Adreanna S.r.l., which will acquire control of the company following the contribution. The entry of a private investor into Aerdorica's capital shows market trust in the future of the company based on the restructuring plan. Furthermore, Aerdorica will implement various compensatory measures, including the outsourcing of ground handling operations, which will mitigate possible distortions of competition, in particular vis-à-vis airports in the same geographic catchment area. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the restructuring aid is in line with the Guidelines. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.49901. 