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The European Union could allow small member states to grant state aid to their airports and review state aid rules accordingly, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said on Thursday.
Estonian PM: EU should allow more state aid to airports
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"We acknowledge that in the present situation the likelihood of profitable operation of national airlines in small countries is small," Ansip said after his meeting with the head of the Lithuanian government, Algirdas Butkevicius. But aviation is clearly in need of help and this could be given by supporting airports, he said.
Aviation questions were among the topics discussed at the meeting but in Ansip's words "a good solution was not found."
"It would be sensible to weigh the possibility of creating a joint aviation company of the three Baltic states," the Estonian prime minister said. Establishment of an Estonian-Lithuanian airline also could be considered, but it would be easier if a profitable business plan existed.