WRITTEN QUESTION E-2035/00

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: International air links from Galicia

Although there are three airports in Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Corunha, this European region of almost 3 million inhabitants has no direct international links with any city other than London. To reach the rest of Europe and the world, Galicians have to travel via Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbau. International links from London are restricted by the fact that there is only one flight a day. It takes 5 hours to get from Santiago airport to Brussels, and the journey to Strasbourg, which requires two changes of plane, takes seven. In reply to my earlier question on the decentralisation of air communications (E-0110/00)(1), the Commission indicated that when third country companies wish to use Member States as a base for operating international flights, the Member States allow them to do so only on condition that they use the hub airports, thus worsening the already appalling congestion at these airports and prejudicing decentralisation. The idea is apparently to defend the interests of the flag-carrying companies of each Member State, in opposition to the economic and social interests of their citizens, and ignoring the idea and concept of a single European sky promoted by the Commission.

What problems and economic, legal or technical conditions need to be dealt with in order for Galicia to have direct air links with the major European cities, or alternatively, the requisite air links with London, an airport close at hand linked with the entire world, or Brussels, thus avoiding the tiresome necessity of changing planes in Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbau, airports which in turn offer less advantageous connections for certain international flights, particularly with European cities like Strasbourg? Are objectives like this included in the single European sky scheme, given that they undoubtedly affect many European cities and regions?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 85.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

Since the entry into force on 1 January 1993 of the three Regulations making up the third air package (Council Regulation (EEC) No 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers(1)) and liberalising the Community civil aviation market, Community air carriers are entirely free to propose whatever services they wish between Community airports open to commercial operations. Consequently, there is no longer any regulatory or technical barrier to Galicia enjoying the kind of air service desired by the Honourable Member. The policy of liberalisation has in fact resulted in an overall increase in the number of lines being operated within the Community.

Clearly, however, in a liberalised market the airlines' choices will be dictated by the requirements of profitability. Nonetheless, Member States have the option of imposing public service obligations on certain links.

The aim of the Single European Sky scheme is to unify the various air traffic control systems of the Member States in order inter alia to improve control capacity and at the same time reduce the number of delays currently occurring in airports.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.