Conversely, the Commission informed the Portuguese authorities of the opening of investigation proceedings concerning “past and planned public financing in favour of SATA” (capital increases since 2017 and the guaranteed rescue loan not addressing the SGEI, as referred above). Notwithstanding the utmost relevance of this investigation not only for SATA group but also concerning its implications to the economy of the region and notably for tourism related activities, it is not possible to elaborate on the same in the present contribution. In view of the above, the Commission is due to “verify that any aid to SATA is effectively proportionate and used to cover only the liquidity needs which are critical to maintain the essential functions of connectivity provided by the beneficiary in the next six months”. And consequently, Portugal must provide “without delay any information requested by the Commission regarding the payment of the aid and the use to which it is put. Moreover, it is necessary that Portugal reports every month starting from the date of the present decision showing the use to which the guaranteed loan has been put and providing, if appropriate, an updated plan of liquidity needs for the next month and until the end of the six-month period”. In September 2020, the Regional Government made public that the Commission has extended by one month the time period for the former to present the requested info161. On 30 April 2021162, the Commission adopted important decisions on the future of SATA by: (i) approving EUR 12 million in Portuguese support in favour of SATA Air Açores as compensation due to damages suffered as a direct result of travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak; (ii) approving up to EUR 255.5 million additional liquidity support to SATA Air Açores - The support takes the form of a “public guarantee on temporary loans or public loans, allows the company to continue providing essential services including routes subject to PSOs and services of general economic interest at local airports, ensuring the connectivity of the Azores outermost region”; but also 161 Information available at https://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/region-has-one-more-month-to-justifycapital-reinforcements-for-sata-317193. 162 Press Release available here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_2095. In this context, the Commission states that “the doubts on the compatibility of the certain past public support to SATA raised in the formal proceedings opened on 18 August 2020 remain valid at this moment.”
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