5.9.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 22233 I (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 30 April 2003 on State aid C 65/2002 (formerly N 262/2002) from Austria to Austrian air carriers (notified under document number C(2003) 1307) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/637/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European ) Community, in particular the first paragraph of Article 88(2), Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, in particular Article 62(1)(a), Having invited interested parties to submit their comments in accordance with the said Articles (%), 3) Whereas: I. PROCEDURE (1)  In accordance with Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty, Austria informed the European Commission, by letter dated 5 April 2002, registered on 10 April 2002 under No SG(2002) A/3826, of a scheme to grant compensa- tion to airlines. On 2 May 2002 an initial request for additional information was sent to the Austrian authori- ties (letter DG TREN D(2002) 7022). A reply was (5) received from Austria by letter dated 24 May 2002, registered by the Commission under No TREN A[59420. The Commission sent a second request for additional information on 5 July 2002 (letter DG TREN D(2002) 11286). Austria replied by letter of 7 August 2002, registered on 13 August 2002 under No SG (2002) A/ 8235. () OJ C 309, 12.12.2002, p. 5. By letter of 16 October 2002, the Commission informed Austria of its decision to consider part of the notified scheme, in respect of four measures amounting to a maximum of EUR 1419 000, as compatible with the common market and to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 88(2) of the Treaty in respect of the other measures envisaged in the aid scheme (3. The Commission Decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Commu- nities. The Commission has invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid in question. The Commission has not received any comments on this subject from interested parties. II. DESCRIPTION OF THE AID Background As a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States of America on 11 September 2002, some parts of airspace were closed for several days, in particular US airspace, which was completely closed between 11 and 14 September 2002, and was only gradually reopened to air traffic from 15 September 2001. Other States saw fit to take similar measures for all or part of their own airspace. () See footnote 1.