63.

Calls, with regard to air transport, for: — addressing the major challenges to competition in the European air sector posed by the decline in direct connectivity between Europe and the rest of the world, limited airport capacity in view of the forthcoming increase in air traffic, and widening of the range of air services provided by non-EU companies, — a revision of Regulation (EC) No 868/2004 in order to safeguard fair competition in EU external aviation relations and reinforce the competitive position of the EU aviation industry, ensure reciprocity and eliminate unfair practices, including subsidies that distort the market, — an Aviation Dialogue with the Gulf States and Turkey with a view to enhancing financial transparency and safeguarding fair competition; inclusion of ‘fair competition clauses’ in air transport agreements, detailed provisions on subsidies, unfair practices and competition, and efficient means of action in the event of non-compliance with those provisions, — speeding-up of the process for the conclusion, where necessary, of new aviation agreements with the EU’s major trading partners such as neighbouring countries, BRICs, ASEAN countries and Mexico, including provisions for improved market access for air cargo services, — a review of the regulatory and fiscal policies of the EU and the Member States to strengthen the competitiveness of the European aviation industry and ensure fair competition with airlines from third countries; calls, therefore, on the Commission to review and eliminate any unilateral EU provisions that distort competition and to urge Member States to act accordingly with regard to similar national provisions, — completion of the internal market for aviation by removing barriers introduced by Member States for EU carriers wishing to operate from their Member State of registration to a third country via another Member State, — coherent and effective development of an EU airport network, which must include, firstly, the main airports (‘hubs’) and, secondly, a well-served, viable and supported network of local, provincial and regional airports, which are essential to the growth and development of the territories concerned, in particular remote areas and outermost regions, which are often accessible only by air transport; the drawing up of a legislative framework for the development and maximisation of the untapped potential of regional airports and of new infrastructure in crowded airports, — approval of EU-funded projects that are part of the TEN-T core network as a priority, — a thorough preparation and swift adoption of a comprehensive Aviation Package, including: a new regulatory framework on civil drones that ensures safety, security and fundamental rights while fostering the economic potential that civil drones offer to European businesses, especially SMEs and start-ups; revision of the EASA Regulation to clarify its role vis-à-vis national aviation authorities and strengthen its abilities to oversee aviation safety in all Member States, including their remote regions, and promote EU rules and standards globally, — all necessary actions by the Member States to accelerate the implementation of the Single European Sky, through the adoption of the SES2+ package, the full implementation and operation of functional airspace blocks (FABs) and the deployment of the future air traffic management system (SESAR), so as to defragment the EU airspace with a view to reducing flight delays, improving safety and mitigating the environmental impact of air transport, — swift adoption by the Council of its position on the revision of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air passenger rights, and Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 on the allocation of slots, — enhancement of the negotiations within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on the development of a global market-based mechanism addressing international aviation emissions, — introduction of international sustainability criteria for renewable aviation jet fuel, — support for aeronautical research and development through the Horizon 2020 and Clean Sky programmes, in order to develop new and cleaner technologies resulting in less noisy and more fuel-efficient aircraft, to promote new types of aircraft such as drones and to create growth and jobs in the European aviation industry, — a thorough review by the Commission and the Member States of their strategy and policies on aviation safety and security with a view to moving gradually to a risk-based approach for the benefit of passengers, — enhancement of EU-wide aviation safety performance in the field of aircraft manufacturing, training and licensing of crews, flight operations, air traffic management and air navigation services, — an assessment of the possible safety measures necessary for avoiding air accidents like that of Germanwings Flight 9525 that occurred in the Alps in March 2015, — a Commission proposal including measures to enhance safety and social rules, particularly flight and rest times, in order to avoid fatigue and improve the quality of cabin air, — the development of a coordinated set of rules governing flight schools and the registration of flight hours for pilots active in the EU, ensuring a more effective control and evaluation of employment conditions in the airline industry, — sharing of general aviation data with Eurostat by Member States, in particular concerning numbers of aeroplanes, pilots and flight hours, so as to improve the applicable regulations, with special emphasis on air safety, — a constructive social dialogue between aviation stakeholders so as to address the new challenges deriving from the introduction of new technologies that will require jobs in the aviation sector to adapt accordingly, — measures against the increase of socially problematic business practices such as ‘flags of convenience’ and different forms of atypical employment and outsourcing; revision of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 to ensure proper enforcement and application of national social legislation and collective agreements for airlines having operational bases on EU territory; a revised definition of a company’s ‘principal place of business’ so as to require airlines to demonstrate substantial aviation activities in a country; EASA recommendations requiring at least 50 per cent of maintenance technicians to be directly employed, to cover all categories of ground staff, pilots and cabin crew;