HCL 604/2020 Oradea adoptată

România Judeţul Bihor Municipiul Oradea Piaţa Unirii, nr. 1 i 410 100, Oradea Conelliul Local Tel. +40 0259-437 000 Fax. +40 0259-437 544 E-mail: primarie(Qoradea.ro HOTĂRÂRE privind aprobarea schemei de ajutor de stat pentru susţinerea activităţii operatorilor aerieni în contextul crizei economice generate de epidemia de COVID-19 Analizând Referatul de aprobare al primarului, în calitate de iniţiator, înregistrat sub nr.337174/05.08.2020 și raportul de specialitate nr.337182/05.08.2020, întocmit de către Direcţia Economică, prin care se propune Consiliului local al municipiului Oradea: e aprobarea schemei locale de ajutor de stat pentru susținerea activității operatorilor aerieni în contextul Crizei economice generate de epidemia de COVID-19, e perioada de valabilitate a procesului de selecție pentru accesarea schemei: 45 de zile de la data intrării în vigoare a prevederilor prezentei hotărâri, e valoarea shemei de stat acordată de Municipiul Oradea la nivelul sumei de 1 milion de euro, dar nu mai mult de 800.000 euro/companie, e numirea Aeroportului Oradea ca administrator al schemei de stat e utilizarea din fondul de rezervă bugetară la dispoziţia consiliului local a sumei de 5.000.000 lei pentru acordarea ajutorului de stat operatorilor aerieni. Luând în considerare: e situaţia excepțională generată de pandemia COVID 19 care a produs tulburări grave ale economiei, e măsura de ajutor aprobată prin Decizia Comisiei Europene pentru aprobarea ajutorului de stat „SA. 57817 (2020/N) — România - COVID-19 - Oradea Schema de asistență aeroportuară către companiile aeriene” și care are drept scop sprijinirea companiilor aeriene grav afectate care au operat zboruri pe aeroportul Oradea. e Cadrul temporar pentru măsuri de ajutor de stat de sprijinire a economiei în contextul actualei epidemii de Covid-19 În temeiul prevederilor art.3 din Ordonanţa de Urgenţă a Guvernului nr.6/2011 pentru reglementarea unor măsuri privind finanţarea regiilor autonome aeroportuare cu specific deosebit, de interes local Având în vedere prevederile art.36 din Legea nr.273/2006 privind finantele publice locale Văzând proiectul de hotărâre și avizul consultativ al Comisiei de specialitate a Consiliului Local, În baza art.129, alin. (2), lit b), alin. (4) lit. a), lit), art. 139 alin. (3) lit.a) și art. 196 alin. (1) lit. a) din Ordonanţa de Urgenţă a Guvernului nr.57/2019 privind Codul administrativ. CONSILIUL LOCAL AL MUNICIPIULUI ORADEA Hotărăște: Art.1. Se aprobă Schema de stat pentru susținerea activităţii operatorilor aerieni în contextul crizei economice generate de epidemia de COVID-19 în valoare de 1 milion de euro. Art.2. Perioada de valabilitate a procesului de selecţie pentru accesarea schemei este de 45 de zile de la data intrării în vigoare a prevederilor prezentei hotărâri. Art.1. Se aprobă Schema de stat pentru susținerea activităţii operatorilor aerieni în contextul crizei economice generate de epidemia de COVID-19 în valoare de 1 milion de euro, dar nu mai mult de 800.000 euro/companie (calculat la cursul de schimb euro/leu al Băncii Naţionale a României valabil la data emiterii acordului de finanțare). wwWw.oradea.ro Art.2. Perioada de valabilitate a procesului de selecţie pentru accesarea schemei este de 45 de zile de la data intrării în vigoare a prevederilor prezentei hotărâri. Documentele care stau la baza accesării schemei criteriile accesării acesteia, bugetul alocat schemei, cerintele necesare pentru întocmirea structurii planului de afaceri precum și declaratia privind încasarea altor ajutoarele de stat si Decizia Comisiei Europene pentru aprobarea ajutorului de stat „SA. 57817 (2020/N) - România - COVID-19 - Oradea Schema de asistență aeroportuară către companiile aeriene” sunt cele din anexele atașate prezentei hotărâri: Anexa nr.1 -,, Comisiei Europene pentru aprobarea ajutorului de stat „SA. 57817 (2020/N) - România — COVID-19 - Oradea Schema de asistență aeroportuară către companiile aeriene Anexa nr.2 - „Anunţ de deschidere a apelului de solicitări pentru acordarea de ajutor financiar conform schemei de ajutor de stat pentru susținerea activităţii operatorilor aerieni în contextul crizei economice generate de pandemia COVID- 19” Anexa nr.3 - „Angajament” Anexa nr.4 - „Structura planului de afaceri” Anexa nr.5 —,,Declarație” Art.3. Se aprobă numirea Aeroportului Oradea ca administrator al schemei mai sus amintite cu rolul de a analiza, evalua, puncta și selecta propunerile operatorilor aerieni, conform documentației procedurii publice de selecție. Art.4. Se aprobă utilizarea din fondul de rezervă bugetară la dispoziția consiliului local a sumei de 5.000.000 lei pentru acordarea ajutorului de stat operatorilor selectati în urma procedurii de selecţie si rectificarea bugetului în sensul acesta conform anexei nr. 6 atașată prezentei hotărâri. Art.5. Cu ducerea la îndeplinire a prezentei hotărâri se însărcinează Direcţia Economică și R.A. Aeroport Oradea. Art. 6. Prezenta hotărâre se comunică cu: Primarul Municipiului Oradea Instituția Prefectului județului Bihor Direcţia Economică R.A Aeroport Oradea, prin grija Direcţiei Economice PREŞEDINTE DE ŞEDINŢĂ Chiană Laurenţiu Alin Oradea, 14 august 2020 CONTRASEMNEAZĂ Nr. 604 SECRETAR GENERAL lonel Vila Hotărârea a fost adoptată cu unanimitate de voturi „pentru” www.oradea.ro EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 27.7.2020 C(2020) 5221 final PUBLIC VERSION This document is made available for information purposes only. Subject: State Aid SA.57817 (2020/N) — Romania — COVID-19 - Oradea airport support scheme to airlines Excellency, 1. (1) (2) (3) PROCEDURE On 25 June 2020, Romania pre-notified to the Commission an aid scheme that provides for aid to airlines operating at Oradea airport (the “measure”) under the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak (“the Temporary Framework”). During the pre- notification phase, two telephone conferences between the Romanian authorities and the Commission services took place. On 16 July 2020 and 17 July 2020, Romania submitted supplementary information on the measure following the Commission request for information. By electronic notification of 17 July 2020, Romania notified the measure under the Temporary Framework. Romania exceptionally agrees to waive its rights deriving from Article 342 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), in conjunction with Mr. Communication from the Commission - Temporary framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak, 19 March 2020, OJ C 911, 20.3.2020, p. 1, as amended by Communication from the Commission C(2020) 2215 final of 3 April 2020 on the Amendment of the Commission C(2020) 4509 final of 29 June 2020 on the 3rd Amendment to the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to Support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak, not yet published. Bogdan AURESCU Minister of Foreign A ffairs Aleea Alexandru nr.3 1, Sector 1, 011822 Bucharest Romania Commission curoptenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIE - Tel. +32 229911 ul 2. (4) (5) (6) Article 3 of Regulation 1/19587 and to have this Decision adopted and notified in English. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE 2.1. Objective and justification of the measure As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Romania implemented certain restrictive measures in order to limit the spread of the virus. The measures were put in place gradually as of March 2020. Romania considers that the COVID-19 outbreak affects the real economy. Private consumption, the main driver of growth in recent years, is expected to be severely affected by the lockdown measures. Uncertainty on the markets caused by the COVID-19 crisis (and the restrictive measures) is expected to hurt investment decisions, while net exports are projected to contribute positively to growth. Unemployment is set to increase While inflation is forecast to ease due to the drop in oil prices. Real GDP? is projected to contract by 6 % in 2020 and rebound by 4% in 2021%.In 2021, real GDP is projected to rebound, though not to pre-crisis levels. The budget deficit is projected to increase significantly as the fiscal measures required to fight the COVID-19 crisis come on top of past fiscal slippages. On 16 March 2020, Romania declared the state of emergency in the country and the majority of business and social activities including travelling were prohibited. On 29 March, 4 and 16 April, by respective military ordinances, Romania reinforced the ban on international travel already in placeby imposing additional flight suspensions to all flights by all air carriers. The flight restrictions did not apply to flights performed by State aircraft, cargo and mail flights, humanitarian or providing emergency medical services, technical services, and non-commercial technical landings. On 18 May 2020 the government agreed on the introduction of a state of alert until mid of July, at which moment the restrictive measures would not be suspended but rather relaxed with concrete details for each sectorRegarding aviation, flights were resumedfrom 23 June 2020 at all airports in Romania to and from the countries subject to the exception of the quarantine/isolation, according to the Romanian green list, updated weekly5. Due to the suspension of flights, temporarily closed borders and travel restrictions there has been a serious negative effect on the connectivity of the country with European countries and the rest of the world. Specifically, the lockdown of the country for the period from Regulation No 1 determining the languages to be used by the European Economic Community, O] 17, 6.10.1958, p. 385. Real gross domestic product (real GDP) is a macroeconomic measure of the value of economic output adjusted for price changes (i.e. inflation or deflation). Essentially, it measures a country's total economic output, adjusted for price changes. Governments use both nominal and real GDP as metrics for analyzing economic growth and purchasing power over time. European Economic Forecast - Summer 2020 (Interim), Institutional Paper 132 - July 2020, European Commission Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs available online under hitps://ec.europa.cw/info/sites/info/files/economy-finance/ip 132 en.pdf http:/Avww.enscbt.ro/index.php/liste-zone-afectate-covid-19 2 (7) (8) (9) (10) (1) mid-March 2020 to mid-June 2020 has substantially affected the activity among others of Oradea Airport” and consequently the airlines operating in that airport. 2.1.1. Oradea Airport Oradea Airport is an important factor in the regional connectivity, as its presence supports many jobs connected to aviation services. Businesses in production, commerce and tourism are heavily relying on connectivity, especially for the economic recovery and viability of the region. Airlines in particular face significant liquidity shortages and working capital problems, since they still have to cover on-going expenditures. Some may have difficulty surviving the disruption. In addition, economic operators providing services related to travel and tourism are already facing losses that are likely to be non-recoverable. Airports in Romania were allowed to resume operations on 23 June 2020 but the lifting of the restrictive measures on flights is gradual and passenger traffic is still limited. The primary requirement for the resumption of flights remains the epidemiological situation with complementary measures, such as the requirements for health safety. Romania notes that due its geographical position, the Oradea region experiences an unprecedented decline in revenues and cash flow in aviation and its dependent tourism branch. Oradea is located near the Hungarian border and is easily accessible for transport and travel in Central Europe... From Oradea, tourists can explore the nearby Apuseni mountains with their numerous caves”, and a number of protected natural areas of the region. Pilgrim tourism (wooden churches of Maramureș), as well as thermal springs, constitute also a significant reason for people travelling in the area. According to the National Statistics Institute, the city attracted 223 000 tourists in 2018, exceeding the number of local residents. Oradea's hotel industry estimates that more than 45 % of its revenues depends on Oradea's air connectivity. In addition, more than 50 % of the Oradea hotel market is covered by business travel to Oradea, almost entirely dependent on air transport. As a result of the COVID- 19 outbreak, accomodation income at city and regional levels is estimated to be 50% - 70% lower by year end. The COVID-19 outbreak is causing disturbances to the local market, with already visible negative effects on the economy as a result of measures taken to manage the medical crisis, tourism being one of the heavily affected areas as a result ofthe outbreak. Many events regularly attracting tens of thousands of tourists have been cancelled or postponed, and the prospect of their redeployment is uncertain. The tourism and transportation industries, especially air travel, are among the most affected industries at global level, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism industry was the first to be affected and, according to forecasts, it will be the one to see the slowest return to normal. The recession of the Oradea tourism industry will also lead to a drop in În this decision, the term “Oradea Airport” or “the airport” is used when referring to the airport infrastructure and the term “R.A. Oradea Airport” is used when referring to the manager of the airport infrastructure. http://romaniatourism.com/oradea. htmitattractions (12) (13) (14) (15) the local economy due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Revitalising it in general, and in Oradea in particular, is tied to the gradual lifting of operational and travel restrictions. The latter are also linked to the destination's accessibility for potential tourists and visitors. Along with the COVID-19 crisis and the accompanying measures all States imposed, the tourist traffic fel to zero, distrupting all preparation and planning from the local authorities and individuals, who counted on a pay-off of such expenses. Airlines were grounded for over 3 months and face insufficient liquidity. Those restrictions resulted in a decrease in income from passenger transport and tourism, both being vital for the economy in the Oradea region and Romania. The total number of passengers handled at Oradea Airport between January and April 2019 was 23 379, which dropped to, the same period of 2020, only 10 141. According to the records, there was a gradual decrease of 65% in the number of passengers in March 2020, compared to March 2019 (from 6 353 to 2 275) and in April 2020 the number of passengers decreased by 100% compared to the same month of 2019, given the travel restrictions. Considering the exceptional situation that generated serious disturbances of the economy, the notified aid measure is aimed at supporting the seriously affected air companies that operated flights at Oradea Airport. Given that airports are an essential infrastructure to maintain regional connectivity, the granting of State aid to airlines that will resume or start the operation of regular domestic and international flights from / to Oradea Airport will help reduce the negative effects felt by the community. Recovery of airline traffic is essential for the full economic recovery and structural viability of the region and the whole economy of Romania?. The objective of the measure is to to support the activity of air operators operating flights from Oradea Airport in the context of the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 outbreak by providing support to them in a comprehensive manner. The measure forms part of an overall package of measures and aims at remedying the liquidity shortage faced by undertakings and ensuring that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak do not undermine their viability. Taking all those factors into account, the Municipality of Oradea proposed a series of pro-active measures meant to increase the market demand so that the industry returns to normal. The Romanian authorities consider that Subsidising the air travel accessibility of the destination, along with a promotional campaign, are two of the measures that create the best prerequisites for the revival of demand so that directly affected actors can cover their financial gaps by restarting activity. The measure is expressly based on Article 107(3)(b) TFEU, in light of sections 2 and 3.1 of the Temporary Framework. As stated by Romania, Oradea is one of the top 5 tourist destinations in Romania, it has the largest and most visited thermal bath in Romania, Băile Felix. Oradea is among the top 10 economic engines in Romania and it has the highest investment GDP/inhabitant in Romania and according to a public survey is the most efficient city in Romania and the first in terms of attracting EU funding. 4 2.2. The nature and form of aid (16) The proposed measure consists of an aid scheme that provides for direct grants that cannot exceed in RON the equivalent of EUR 800 000 per company to airlines that resume or start flights from Oradea Airport. 910, 2.3. National legal basis (17) The legal basis for the measure is the Resolution concerning the approval of the State aid scheme for supporting the activity of air operators in the context of the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic of Oradea Local Council. 2.4. Administration of the measure (18) The Oradea Municipality will be responsible for granting the aid. R.A. Oradea Airport will be the authority responsible for administering the measure!!. (19) The call for applications for aid under the measure will set out in detail the conditions to receive the aid, the procedure to follow and documents to submit to apply for the aid, the commitments to be taken by the aid beneficiaries and the controls and reports to be done by R.A. Oradea Airport. 2.5. Budget and duration of the measure (20) The Romanian authorities confirm that no more than EUR 1 million (RON 4 842 90012) in aid will be granted under the measure. The aid will be financed from the local budget of the Oradea Municipality. The Oradea Municipality will grant the aid directly to beneficiaries. The aid per undertaking cannot exceed EUR 800 000 (equivalent in RON). (21) The scheme will enter into force upon its approval by the Commission and the aid Will not be granted later than on 31 December 2020. The selection period for the beneficiaries is 45 days starting from the date of entry into force of the provisions of the Decision of Oradea Local Council, and the period in which the grant can be paid is between the date of entry into force of the provisions of the granting decision and the date of 31 March 2021. 2.6. Beneficiaries (22) The beneficiaries of the measure are airlines that resume or start operating flights at the Oradea Airport. Romania estimates that three (3) airlines will benefit from the measure. The measure is directed at airlines that operated at Oradea Airport before the COVID-19 crisis but also the airlines that would like to start new operations there. 19 The EUR/RON exchange rate for calculating the maximum ceiling of EUR 800 000 is the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Romania valid at the date of granting ofthe aid. The aid will be granted by Municipality of Oradea to beneficiaries directly, not through R.A. Oradea Airport. The airport will deal only with the verification of eligibility criteria and selection. „Based on the exchange rate EUR/RON of the Central Bank of Romania valid on 16 July 2020. 5 (23) Air operators that operated at Oradea Airport, which undertake to resume their regular flights at Oradea Airport and the air operators that want start th [...]