Single European Sky II: moment van implementatie is aangebroken (en)

Europe's fragmented airspace causes costly inefficiencies and European air traffic management needs urgent and bold reforms to remedy this if Europe is to keep up in the global race towards sustainable transport and a low-carbon economy. At a public hearing organised by the European Economic and Social Committee on 31 May 2011 in Brussels, all major stakeholders in the aviation business called for full and rapid implementation of the second Single European Sky package. This would boost mobility, improve travel comfort and enhance Europe’s competitiveness. Participants called on the European Commission to show the necessary leadership throughout the process.

"Delays and congestion over Europe have become an everyday reality, with negative impacts on airspace users, operators and airports alike. CO2 emissions would be reduced by 12% per flight, and efficiency, safety and capacity greatly increased, if all actors subscribed to the ambitious targets for the sustainable future of Europe's air traffic management", argued Jacek Krawczyk, EESC vice-president and rapporteur for the Single European Sky II opinion.

"The crisis management after the recent Icelandic Grimsvotn volcano eruption has shown that lessons from last year's air transport paralysis have been learnt. I urge the European Commission to use its leadership to remove the various obstacles and political problems throughout the Single European Sky implementation", said Stephane Buffetaut², president of the EESC's Transport and Energy Section.

The hearing at the EESC brought together air transport regulators, airspace users, transport workers, airport operators and air-navigation service providers as well as representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the upcoming Polish EU Presidency. Several delegates from the US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) attended the hearing and stressed the importance of a secure environment for investors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Marjus Rahuoja, a member of the Private Office of Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas³ noted that the hearing was particularly timely as in two weeks' time the Council was to hold an important debate on Single European Sky II. "The commitment of all actors will be crucial for effectively dealing with challenges such as improving airport operations, civil-military cooperation and the integration of the EU's neighbouring countries", he added.

Krzysztof Kapis, Director at the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure, stressed that the upcoming Polish EU Presidency would work hard to ensure that the Single European Sky II implementation kept track of the ambitious schedule. Poland is seen as one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the next 20 years: "We want to be prepared for this traffic growth", he said.

The EESC is due to adopt its opinion on the Single European Sky II in July 2011,

For further information, please contact:

Martin Schneider

EESC Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society

Tel.: +32-2-546.82.70; martin.schneider@eesc.europa.eu