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22 November 2009
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Commission agrees on air transport package 

Published: Thursday 11 October 2001   

The European Commission authorised limited and temporary emergency aid to the European airlines, but refused to weaken its rules on state aid for the sector in general. The commissioners also adopted a set of common security rules for civil aviation and a proposal for the creation of a 'single European sky'.

Background:


After the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US, the European Commission has been under pressure to take the necessary measures to help out the European airlines. As a result of massive financial support given by the Bush government to US carriers, the European air transport industry has been lobbying hard to get similar emergency help from EU governments.

However, the EU has very strict

guidelines on state aid to the aviation sectorexternal . The Commission is also seriously concerned that the necessary consolidation and restructuring of the sector should be continued and in certain cases even stepped up.

 

Other related news:


The transport package adopted on Wednesday 10 October includes the following measures:

  • On emergency aid to the airlines
  • airlines can, under strict conditions, be compensated for losses directly resulting from the four-day closure of American airspace;
  • Member States can intervene to cover the costs of extra insurance until the end of the year;
  • all Member State emergency aid to be notified to the Commission;
  • the Commission will on a case-to-case basis examine agreements between airlines (exemption article 81,3);
  • airlines are entitled to retain their slots with grandfather status in EU airports during the summer of 2002;
  • Commission will propose "code of good conduct" with US authorities to avoid distortions of competition as a result of US government aid to its airlines.
  • On aviation security
  • Commission proposes to adopt and enforce common rules on security measures, based on rules set out in Document 30 of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). These rules include measures on control of access to sensitive areas of airports; control of passengers and luggage, cargo and mail; training of ground staff; specifications for security equipment; classification of forbidden weapons and objects.
  • creation of an inspection body made up of two teams of four people who could inspect European airports on a regular basis.
  • On the creation of a Single European Sky
  • framework regulation on the institutional rules for a Single European Sky by 31 December 2004;
  • specific regulations on charges and transparency in the air navigation services sector; on the coordination between civilian and military use of the airspace; and on procedures for the adoption and implementation of rules and standards for air traffic management.

 

Next steps:


EU transport ministers will have a first discussion on the air transport package on Tuesday 16 October.

 

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