Thank you all names taken.
I too would question the legality of using public funds to subsidise a private business against another.
The one thing I have seen reported is that airports between the 3-5 million bracket, attracting a non-EU route can access the fund in 'exceptional circumstances'.
Now, what exactly is an 'exceptional circumstance'?
Blackmail from an airline stating 'we won't start a route without help', which is pretty much extortion?
If an airline states they will start say, MAN or LPL, using the fund to get a leg up against the competitors fees and make your airport more attractive, which would lead to an unfair competition case?
A route which is 'essential' to the airport, which one could then argue if the route was that 'essential', it should be able to start and run under its own steam and merit?
Clarification of what an 'exceptional circumstance' is, is needed.
The whole thing just doesn't stand up to scrutiny so far, and I agree a blanket reduction on APD for all regional airports, that while costing more money, would have had far better results IMO.