Businesses in the aviation sector will also be able to benefit from aid from the Confederation. After the Council of States, the National adopted on Tuesday by 133 votes to 60 an urgent amendment to the aviation law.
As part of the Covid-19 crisis, the Confederation announced last week aid of 600 million francs for so-called related companies, namely groundhandling services and aircraft maintenance companies. But the legal basis is lacking, hence the need for this modification.
The air sector is essential to our economy on which hundreds of thousands of jobs depend, recalled on behalf of the commission Frédéric Borloz (PLR / VD). Half of Swiss companies’ exports go by plane and 38% of tourists arrive by air in Switzerland, he added.
Since the measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus, flight movements at Swiss airports have decreased by more than 95%. Ground businesses are directly affected. This includes Swissport International, Gategroup and SR Technics, companies which are owned by Chinese investors.
To help them, airports and cantons do not have the financial means available. The revision therefore provides for authorizing the Confederation to participate temporarily in companies or to grant loans, guarantees or guarantees. This support can also be granted at national airports.
Too short delay
In addition to the 600 million for companies on the ground, the Federal Council proposed 1.275 billion francs to guarantee loans to Swiss airlines. The Chambers gave the green light to these credits despite opposition from the Greens.
As the granting of the 600 million francs to companies on the ground is dependent on the modification of the law, the left tried once again to condition these subsidies in the law.
It was not until last Saturday at 5 p.m. that the transport committee was able to discuss the planned changes. “We were presented with a fait accompli,” said Isabelle Pasquier-Eichenberger (Verts / GE), saying that a consultation would have been necessary at the very least.
No climatic conditions
On content, the PS and the Greens have asked to include several conditions related to the environment. The PS asked for example greener planes or requirements in terms of CCT, the Greens wanted that the assisted companies give up the connections between two national airports or undertake to offset the CO2 emissions.
The right wing majority rejected all of these proposals. We take these companies hostage by imposing climate policy objectives on them, noted Kurt Fluri (PLR / SO). “Save these claims for the CO2 law”, added Thomas Hurter (UDC / SH). For him, it is above all a question of supporting the airline industry.
Money will stay in Switzerland
The PDC has won its case so that public aid remains in Switzerland. “We are ready to support the airline industry, but not ready to invest taxpayer money in Chinese companies with our eyes closed,” said Philipp Matthias Bregy (PDC / VS).
The National followed two proposals in this direction, one from the PVL and the other from the Christian Democrats. The Council of States tacitly agreed. It maintained a final divergence concerning the rules on the right to participate in foreign companies.
Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga recalled that the Confederation had no intention of acquiring stakes in foreign companies. The State intends to go through other structures such as auxiliary companies or defeasance companies under Swiss law. “It is the national interest that must come first,” she added. The new provisions are limited to 2025. ’ (ats / nxp)
Created: 05.05.2020, 4:00 p.m.
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