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<p> </p><p>The Department for Transport is in detailed discussions with regional councils
regarding two air routes that might qualify for support through a Public Service Obligation
under financial provisions announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the
2013 Spending Round last July, to maintain regional air access to London. Of these,
Dundee Council is currently tendering for an airline to operate a service between
Dundee Airport and London.</p><p> </p><p>The Chancellor announced in this year's Budget
that support will also be made available for start-up aid for new air routes from
UK regional airports. European Union aviation State aid guidelines allow for start-up
aid to be provided under certain conditions to facilitate development of new routes
from Member State airports which handle fewer than five million passengers per year.</p><p>
</p><p>The Department for Transport is working with the Treasury to develop guidance
clarifying how the Government will ordinarily expect to interpret the European Union
State aid guidelines, and explain how the funding process will operate.</p>
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