WRITTEN QUESTION E-3063/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 November 2001)

Subject: Air crash on 8 October 2001 and lack of ground radar systems at the old Linate airport in Milan which should have closed but is still in operation

1. Can the Commission confirm that the cause of the collision during thick fog between an SAS MD87 airliner taking off for Copenhagen and a small private Cessna on the runway of the old Linate airport (Aeroporto Internazionale Enrico Forlanini), in which all those on board the two aircraft and four airport workers were killed, was that the ground radar system had been out of service for some time?

2. Were airlines operating out of Linate generally aware of this situation? If not, why not?

3. In the Commission's view, how could a situation have arisen in which Linate airport was able to go on operating for some time without ground radar?

4. Are airports in EU Member States authorised to be without ground radar temporarily or permanently? If so, why?

5. What is now the definitive closure date for Linate airport, which is located too near the south-east outskirts of Milan and should have disappeared several years ago after the opening of the new Malpensa airport, which is located at a safe distance from Milan to the north-west on the River Ticino?

6. Once Malpensa had been connected up to the railway network, albeit after some delay, what prevented the rapid transfer of all air traffic from Linate to Malpensa?

7. Are the safety shortcomings at Linate partly attributable to the fact that no new investments were made in anticipation of the closure, whereas despite the plans the airport has remained open to provide extra capacity to cope with the increase in air traffic?

8. What measures are being taken in relation to Linate airport to end the uncertainty surrounding the closure timetable and allow the investment required to guarantee safety in the meantime?

9. What lessons has the Commission learnt from this accident as regards the safety of European airports in general?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The accident to which the Honourable Member refers is currently under investigation in accordance with Council Directive 94/56/EC of 21 November 1994 establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents(1). An independent investigation should establish the facts, analyse them, determine the causes of the accident and formulate recommendations to improve the level of safety. Pending this investigation, the Commission does not feel authorised to make any statements on this tragedy. However, it undertakes to make the necessary proposals if the investigation reveals the need for Community action in this domain. Currently there is no Community legislation concerning airport installations, which are governed by the legislation of the Member State in which the airport is located.

With regard to the possible closure of Linate and the transfer of services to Malpensa, the constitution of airport systems and the distribution of traffic among these airports are principally within the competence of the Member States, in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes(2). The Commission's role is confined to ensuring that the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality are complied with in the event of any transfer.

The Commission's proposals concerning the creation of the single European sky(3) will lead to the adoption of rules imposing the use of particular types of equipment, in particular to support the coordinated and swift introduction of new safety systems in air traffic control e.g. radio navigation by satellite.

(1) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994.

(2) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(3) COM(2001) 564 final.