Target groupThe seminar is aimed at officials from central ministries and/or other authorities dealing with transport issues and managers of public enterprises who are involved in the formulation and implementation of transport state aid schemes. The seminar is also open to managers of private enterprises that may receive aid in this field.DescriptionThe seminar aims to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the concept of state aid and public service compensation in the transport sector. It explains the European Commission’s approach to state aid cases in this sector and familiarises public officials with experiences in various Member States. It analyses in detail recent issues and identifies potential problems.Learning methodologyA combination of presentations and case studies will be used. The lectures are given by EIPA experts, Commission officials and national representatives. Participants will be provided with comprehensive documentation and relevant background materials.ObjectivesThis seminar reviews the objectives of and developments in the transport sector (road, rail and inland waterways transport, air and maritime transport), and considers the application and developments of the principles of EU state aid law in these different sectors. This is followed by in-depth assessment of specific state aid issues, e.g. the application of the Altmark ruling (specified by BUPA judgment?) and the relationship to public procurement in transport, the interpretation of Regulation 1370/2007 on Passenger Transport Services and recent experiences from its application, the Interpretative guidelines on Reg. 1370/07 of the Commission, the Commission’s proposal of the 4th Railway Package, and also the correct application of the market economy investor principle (MEIP) in the transport sector. Furthermore, an extra session will cover the infrastructure funding in the aviation sector (including the new Guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines of 4 April 2014), as well as one on the maritime transport sector. Finally, there will be expert presentations on national experiences in transport funding.