On 30 May 2012, the Commission announced that it has decided to open an in-depth State aid investigation into whether financial arrangements between public authorities and the French airport of Beauvais, and rebates and marketing agreements between this airport and its customer airlines, are in line with EU State aid rules. Between 2000 and 2008, the companies operating the airport received subsidies of over €24.5m and the Commission is particularly concerned that these arrangements are not in line with the Commission’s guidelines on the financing of airports as they may not have been proportionate to the objectives pursued. It is also concerned that start-up aid granted to airlines departing from regional airports may have given these airlines an unfair economic advantage to their competitors. Interested parties are entitled to comment. Read more.