EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/819

(2004/C 84 E/0914)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0611/04

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Terrorism: drawing up a European directive providing for the presence of air marshals on board aircraft

Knowing that:

— the development of international terrorism has led to the need for specialised personnel on board aircraft to anticipate or prevent terrorist attacks and hijacking;

— it is advisable that such personnel (air marshals) have some kind of preparation for working unarmed;

— such personnel could be used on the ground in cooperation with the police;

— the USA is urging European airlines to employ air marshals on transatlantic flights;

— the first training course for air marshals has been set up in Milan, a course which provides for training exercises to be carried out at an airport near the city from 1 March 2004.

Does the Commission intend to draw up a European directive laying down rules for the aforementioned sector, providing for, in particular, the presence of such security personnel on transatlantic flights?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

At the end of December 2003 and more recently in February 2004, the US authorities, acting on the basis of information regarding potential terrorist threats, asked a number of European airlines to step up their security measures on certain flights judged to be at risk. Some countries agreed to deploy police officers on these flights, while others preferred simply to cancel the flights in question.

As things stand, Germany and Austria are the only two EU Member States to have had a Sky Marshal-type programme in place for a number of years. Under the pressure of recent events, a number of other Member States, including from among the new Member States, are considering deploying police officers on sensitive flights or have already taken the decision to do so. A third group of countries continues to have reservations about measures of this type, citing the risks associated with the presence of arms on board and/or the greater effectiveness of pre-boarding controls on the ground.

The Commission has looked at the different positions adopted by the Member States. It would like to see Sky Marshals included in an overall package of enhanced security measures that could be taken in the event of terrorist threats on certain flights. It is in favour of joint discussions bringing together national authorities responsible for national security and those responsible for civil aviation. With this in mind, at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 19 February 2004, the responsible Member of the Commission proposed that the Council take an overall look at the flight security issue in order to arrive at a common position.

Part of this work has already started with Austria's organisation of a seminar on Sky Marshals, which was held on 1/2 March 2004.

On the basis of the work carried out by the Commission in conjunction with the heads of the civil aviation authorities in the Member States, the Council Presidency, acting on behalf of the Community and its Member States, has written to the International Civil Aviation Organisation inviting it to address this issue and provide the signatory States with advice.