The package of Commission proposals (a framework regulation and three technical regulations) for establishing a single European sky aims to transform the European Union’s sky into an integrated airspace, subject to the same principles and rules, by 31 December 2004.
The European Parliament disagreed with the Council common position of 18 March 2003 on several points:
- the delimitation of the fields for action by the Community: while the Council considers that a "safeguards clause" should be applied to military training, the Parliament considers that training and exercices should be settled in the framework of the Single Sky Committee;
- the introduction of a system of sanctions for breaches of this Regulation: this measure, refused by the Council, is supported by the Parliament.
- cooperation with Eurocontrol: Parliament wants to grant Eurocontrol an observer status in the EU's Single Sky Committee;
The most controversial issue between the Council and the Parliament is the cooperation between civil and military cooperation and sovereignty of the Member States over their own airspace. The Parliament, contrary to the Council, considers that Member States should work towards full integration of civil and military airspace and traffic flow management.
The Parliament will now be on course for a confrontation with the Council of Transport Ministers, probably leading to a conciliation procedure.