We represent bus traffic operator Nobina AB (Swedish parent) and Nobina Oy (Finnish subsidiary) in the European Court of Justice and in Finnish national courts in ongoing proceedings in the recovery of unlawful state aid exceeding EUR 60 million from a competitor of Nobina. The case is by far the largest matter involving the recovery of unlawful state aid in Finland so far.
D&I assisted Nobina to prepare a complaint to the European Commission concerning the state aid given by the City of Helsinki to its bus company, Helsingin Bussiliikenne, a competitor of Nobina. D&I then supported Nobina during the Commission’s multi-year investigation. On 28 June 2019, the Commission accepted Nobina’s complaint and ordered Finland to recover state aid and interest exceeding EUR 60 million from Helsingin Bussiliikenne.
Helsingin Bussiliikenne and the City of Helsinki have appealed the Commission’s decision to the European Court of Justice (“CJEU”). Nobina has intervened to support the Commission. We also represent Nobina in Finnish national courts, where Helsingin Bussiliikenne has appealed to stop the recovery of the unlawful state aid.
Nobina AB is the Nordic region’s largest public transport company.