State should compensate airlines

After the partial opening of Europe's skies the damages caused by the cloud of volcano ash are now being calculated. The airlines must not be left to pick up the whole tab, writes the daily De Tijd: "If the businesses have no other choice but to pick up the bill themselves they are justified in asking the government for support. Let's not forget, it introduced the general ban on air traffic, so it only stands to reason that it should make partial concessions to the airlines with financial aid or other means. Of course such aid must be granted on the basis of clear criteria, it must not discriminate and at best should be organised at a European level. It must be made clear that such state aid is the exception. The impression must be avoided that the state is waiting there to bail out anyone and everyone if need be. Because state aid has to be paid by someone, namely the taxpayer."

» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Corporations, » Europe
All available articles from » Stefaan Michielsen

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, April 21, 2010