[pic] | IL-KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussel 24.1.2007

KUMM(2006) 821 finali

RAPPORT MILL-KUMMISSJONI

dwar l-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 96/67/KE tal-15 ta' Ottubru 1996

RAPPORT MILL-KUMMISSJONI

dwar l-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 96/67/KE tal-15 ta' Ottubru 1996

1. Introduzzjoni

1. Fil-15 ta' Ottubru 1996 il-Kunsill adotta d-Direttiva 96/67/KE dwar l-aċċess għas-suq tal- groundhandling fl-ajruporti tal-Komunità. Id-Direttiva kienet l-ewwel pass lejn il-ftuħ gradwali ta' aċċess għas-suq tal- groundhandling sabiex tgħin fit-tnaqqis ta' l-ispejjeż operattivi tat-trasportaturi bl-ajru u ttejjeb il-kwalità tas-servizz. L-Artikolu 22 tad-Direttiva jeħtieġ li l-Kummissjoni tħejji rapport dwar l-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva. Dan ir-Rapport tal-Kummissjoni għandhu l-għan li jikkonforma ma' dan ir-rekwiżit.

2. Għat-talba tal-Kummissjoni, fl-2002, kien sar studju ‘dwar il-kwalità u l-effiċjenza tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling fl-ajruporti ta' l-UE bħala riżultat ta' l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 96/67/KE.’ Il-Kummissjoni ippubblikat dan l-istudju fuq il-website tagħha[1] minħabba li fih tagħrif ta' siwi dwar l-effetti ekonomiċi li d-Direttiva kellha fl-Istati Membri varji.

3. Għandu jitfakkar li d-Direttiva tagħmel distinzjoni importanti bejn żewġ tipi ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling : (1) il-kategoriji ta' servizzi li għalihom, fl-ajruporti li jilħqu ċertu limitu, jeżisti aċċess liberu għall-fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling u li għalihom l-utenti ta' l-ajruporti huma ħielsa biex jagħmlu s- self-handling ; u (2) l-għadd limitat ta' kategoriji speċifiċi ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling [2], li jista' f'ċerti ajruporti, jiġi riżervat għal għadd limitat ta' fornituri ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling u l-utenti tas- self-handling rispettivament. Dawn ta' l-aħħar huma imsemmija wkoll bħala servizzi ristretti u din it-terminoloġija ġiet użata fit-test li ġej:

2. Is-sejbiet ta' l-istudju

4. Traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva fil-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali

It-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva fil-leġiżlazzjoni ta' l-Istati Membri fil-biċċa l-kbira tal-każijiet kienet proċess relattivament bla xkiel ukoll jekk ħafna mill-Istati Membri tal-Kummissjoni kellhom jidħlu f'korrispondenza u konsultazzjonijiet sabiex jikkjarifikaw u jipprovdu t-tagħrif u l-għajnuna dwar kif għandha tiġi trasposta b'mod korrett id-Direttiva. Kwistjoni oħra kienet il-pass pjuttost kajman li bih it-traspożizzjoni tlestiet: il-biċċa l-kbira tal-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali l-ġdida ġiet adottata qabel l-1999 filwaqt li erba' Stati Membri ttardjaw sa l-1999 biex jadottaw leġiżlazzjoni u wieħed minnhom sa l-2000.

5. Fiż-żewġ każijiet il-Kummissjoni ma qablitx ma' l-Istati Membri dwar il-mod kif ittrasponu l-Artikolu 18 tad-Direttiva, li jistipula li l-Istati Membri jistgħu jieħdu l-miżuri neċessarji biex jiżguraw il-protezzjoni tad-drittijiet tal-ħaddiema. Il-Kummissjoni kienet tal-fehma li l-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali adottata mill-Istati Membri kkonċernati marret kontra l-applikazzjoni effettiva tad-Direttiva. Il-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja Ewropea fl-aħħar iddeċidiet skond dan[3] u issa Stat Membru wieħed ikkonforma mad-deċiżjoni tal-Qorti. Il-Kummissjoni qed tikkunsidra jekk tieħux azzjoni legali kontra l-Istat Membru l-ieħor abbażi ta' l-Artikolu 228 tat-Trattat.

6. Eżenzjonijiet abbażi ta' l-Artikolu 9 tad-Direttiva

Fejn f'ajruport jeżistu restrizzjonijiet speċifiċi ta' spazju jew ta' kapaċità disponibbli, l-Istati Membri jistgħu jiddeċiedu jillimitaw l-għadd ta' handlers . L-Istati Membri għandhom jagħtu notifika lill-Kummissjoni dwar kwalunkwe eżenzjoni li huma jkunu taw. Abbażi ta' l-Artikolu 9 tad-Direttiva l-Kummissjoni rċeviet għaxar notifiki. Wara li eżaminathom, il-Kummissjoni tat tmien eżenzjonijiet u rrifjutat tnejn. Lista ta' l-ajruporti kkonċernati hija ppreżentata kif ġejja.

Ajruport | Data tad-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni: | Eżenzjoni mogħtija sa |

Frankfurt | 14 ta' Jannar 1998 | 1 ta' Jannar 2001 |

Amburgu | 30 ta' Ottubru 1998. | 31 ta' Diċembru 2000 |

Stuttgart | 30 ta' Ottubru 1998 | 31 ta' Diċembru 2000 |

Berlin Tegel | 27 ta' April 1999 | 31 ta' Diċembru 2000 |

Düsseldorf | 14 ta' Jannar 1998 | 31 ta' Diċembru 2000 |

Düsseldorf | 5 ta' Jannar 2000. | 31 ta' Diċembru 2001 |

Pariġi CDG | 27 ta' April 1999 | 31 ta' Diċembru 2000 |

Funchal | 10 ta' Jannar 2000 | 31 ta' Diċembru 2001 |

Eżenzjonijiet mitluba fit-30 ta' Ottubru 1998 mill-ajruporti ta' Cologne/Bonn u ta' Oporto fl-10 ta' Jannar 2000 rispettivament ma ġewx mogħtija.

L-Anness A jagħti ħarsa in ġenerali tar-restrizzjonijiet tal-kapaċità u ta' l-ispazju li ltaqgħu magħhom l-operaturi ta' l-ajruport wara l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva. Dan l-Anness huwa bbażat fuq stħarriġ bil-posta u ma jinkludiex l-ajruporti kollha maġġuri ta' l-UE.[4] Jidher li minbarra l-ajruporti hawn imsemmija, li kienu ssottomettew talba għall-eżenzjoni li mbagħad ingħatat, wara d-dħul fis-seħħ tad-Direttiva l-biċċa l-kbira ta' l-ajruporti ma kellhom l-ebda problema biex jakkomodaw il- handlers ġodda jew inkella setgħu jagħmlu arranġamenti biex isibu soluzzjoni malajr. Il-fehma tagħhom hija l-istess bħal tal-fornituri tas-servizzi fuq firxa wiesgħa.

7. Applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva

L-Artikolu 1(4) tad-Direttiva jeħtieġ li l-Kummissjoni tippubblika kull sena lista ta' l-ajruporti Kommunitarji li fihom għandhom jinfetaħ is-suq tal- groundhandling f'konformità mad-dispożizzjonijiet rilevanti tad-Direttiva. Il-lista l-aktar riċenti ġiet ippubblikata fis-17 ta' Novembru 2006[5]. Din il-lista hija bbażata fuq l-istatistika tat-traffiku tal-passiġġieri u tal-merkanzija fis-sena 2005 u hija mehmuża bħala l- Anness B. Għalhekk f'dik is-sena kien hemm 95 ajruport li kellhom aktar minn 2 miljun moviment ta' passiġġieri jew 50 000 tunnellata merkanzija, u 49 ajruport kienu taħt dan il-limitu iżda kellhom traffiku annwali ta' iżjed minn miljun moviment ta' passiġġieri jew 25 000 tunnellata merkanzija.

Minn dawn il-144 ajruport, 13-il ajruport biss fl-Istati Membri li ssieħbu ma' l-UE fl-2004 jilħqu l-limitu minimu ta' miljun moviment ta' passiġġieri/25 000 tunnellata merkanzija[6].

L-effetti ta' l-applikazzjoni ta' din id-Direttiva hawn deskritti, huma l-aktar marbutin ma' l-ajruporti tal-15-il Stat Membru għaliex l-ajruporti ta' l-Istati Membri ‘ġodda’ għad għandhom ftit esperjenza tad-Direttiva.

8. L-ispiża tal- groundhandling

Huwa magħruf fuq firxa wiesgħa li mill-adozzjoni tad-Direttiva tal- groundhandling il-prezzijiet tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling waqgħu kważi madwar l-Istati Membri kollha u huwa meqjus li dan it-tnaqqis jidher aktar f'dawk l-Istati Membri li qabel l-1996 kellhom monopolji tal- handling jew suq regolat ħafna. Għalhekk huwa rikonoxxut li d-Direttiva kellha effett pożittiv fuq il-kompetizzjoni, li setgħet waslet għal dan it-tnaqqis, ukoll jekk jitqies l-argument li żviluppi fl-industrija tal-linji ta' l-ajru wkoll setgħu kellhom sehem importanti fil-kaġun tal-pressjoni fuq il-prezzijiet għaliex it-trasportaturi bl-ajru li riedu jnaqqsu l-ispejjeż kienu qegħdin jagħmlu pressjoni fuq il-fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling biex iniżżluhom. L-Annex C juri l-iżviluppi fil-prezzijiet f'għadd ta' ajruporti ta' l-UE li seħħew mill-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva. L-Anness jiddiskrivi t-tnaqqis ġenerali tal-prezzijiet mill-perspettiva ta' dawk rispettivi li jieħdu sehem fis-suq ukoll jekk il-persentaġġi preċiżi jvarjaw. Il-perċezzjoni rigward ir-raġuni eżatta għall-inżul fil-prezzijiet għalhekk mhuwiex uniformi.

9. Il-kwalità tal- groundhandling

Wara l-adozzjoni u l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva, it-tibdiliet fil-livell ta' kwalità jidhru li varjaw f'ajruporti differenti. Il-partijiet interessati huma ta' fehmiet differenti, l-aktar mill-perspettiva tal-pożizzjonijiet kompetittivi rispettivi tagħhom fis-suq qabel u wara li d-Direttiva saret applikabbli, iżda l-każijiet fejn il-partijiet interessati, fuq firxa sħiħa, jirrikonoxxu żieda fil-livelli ta' kwalità jissuperaw bil-ħafna il-każijiet inċidentali fejn deterjorament ġie nnotat. Minbarra dawn iż-żewġ alternattivi – livelli ta' kwalità aktar għoljin jew aktar baxxi - hemm każijiet fejn hemm assenza ta' kwalunkwe tibdil fil-livelli ta' kwalità. Il-perċeżżjoni in ġenerali hija li r-riżultati ta' suċċess taż-żieda fl-aċċess għas-suq huma livell aktar għoli ta' kompetizzjoni, żieda ta' l-għażla ħielsa bejn il-fornituri tas-servizzi u tnaqqis fl-ispejjeż ta' dawn is-servizzi. It-trasportaturi bl-ajru huma l-benefiċjarji ewlenin ta' dan l-iżvilupp iżda użawh l-aktar biex jilagħbu l-fornituri varji kontra xulxin bil-għan li jiksbu l-aħjar prezz, mentri saħqu anqas fuq il-kwalità tas-servizz.

10. Il-fehmiet dwar is-suġġett ivarjaw skond il-perspettiva tal-fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling , ta' l-operaturi ta' l-ajruport, u tat-trasportaturi bl-ajru li jagħmlu self - handling jew inkella jipprovdu servizzi tal- handling lil partijiet terzi (jew li jagħmlu t-tnejn) rispettivament. Il-konklużjoni ġenerali hija li t-trasportaturi bl-ajru għandhom aktar libertà biex iqabbdu l- groundhandler skond l-għażla tagħhom. It-trasportaturi bl-ajru jivvalutaw dan l-iżvilupp għax jimplika li f'ħafna każijiet il-monopolji tradizzjonali ta' l-ajruporti, li mhux biss jipprovdu l-infrastruttura iżda jaġixxu wkoll bħala fornituri ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling , ġew alterati u soġġetti għall-kompetizzjoni.

11. L-ajruporti jħossu li dan l-effett għandu ċerti riperkussjonijiet fuq il-livell tas-servizz u l-ġestjoni ta' l-ajruport innifsu, għaliex żbalji aċċidentali għandhom mnejn jiddisturbaw l-effiċjenza in ġenerali tas-sistema ta' l-ajruport. Il-Kumitat ta' Dawk li Jużaw l-Ajruport mhuwiex l-ambitu l-aktar xieraq fejn dan is-suġġett jista' jiġi diskuss minħabba li t-trasportaturi nazzjonali, li f'ħafna każijiet jagħmlu s- self-handling u għalhekk ikunu effettwati minn kwalunkwe regola rigward il-kwalità, għandhom ċertu saħħa qawwija f'dan il-Kumitat. L-ajruporti huma tal-fehma li mgħandhomx biżżejjed mezzi li jippermettulhom jindirizzaw tali sitwazzjonijiet. L- Annex D jipprovdi ħarsa ġenerali dwar l-iżvilupp fil-livelli ta' kwalità fl-ajruporti ta' l-UE sa mill-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva. Il-fehmiet ta' l-operaturi ta' l-ajruporti dwar dan l-iżvilupp, il-Kumitati ta' Dawk li Jużaw l-Ajruport u l- groundhandler(s) fl-ajruport in kwistjoni ittieħdu f'kunsiderazzjoni.

12. Il-kompetizzjoni

Id-Direttiva kellha wkoll l-effett tagħha fuq il-livell tal-kompetizzjoni fl-ajruporti ta' l-UE għax fi kważi l-kategoriji kollha tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling l-għadd ta' fornituri tas-servizzi fis-suq żdied. L- Annex E jippreżenta l-għadd ta' handlers ta' terzi persuni preżenti fl-ajruporti ta' l-UE kemm qabel u wara l-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva[7]. Fil-parti l-kbira ta' l-ajruporti fejn l-għadd inbidel kien hemm żieda. Huma biss is-servizzi tal- handling tal-fjuwil u taż-żejt fejn in-numri baqgħu ġeneralment l-istess. Rigward l-għadd tas- self-handlers (it-tieni parti ta' l- Anness E ), jew baqa' l-istess jew inkella naqas. In numru f'parenteżi wara kull kategorija ta' servizz jirreferi għan-numru tal-kategorija ta' servizz elenkat fl-Anness tad-Direttiva.

13. Minkejja dawn in-numri ogħla, li juru żieda ċara fil-kompetizzjoni fl-ajruporti, fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling indipendenti jikkunsidraw li l-opportunitajiet tagħhom għall-kummerċ baqgħu limitati meta wieħed iqis dak li jikkunsidraw bħala ‘suq kontestabbli’ relativvament żgħir notevolment fl-ajruporti akbar, jiġifieri dik il-biċċa tas-suq li mhix f'idejn it-trasportatur ta' l-obbligu u/jew l-operatur ta' l-ajruport u għalhekk tista' mingħajr ebda xkiel tinqabad minn handlers indipendenti. Dan jista jiġi spjegat minħabba l-ħafna hub carriers li mhux biss jagħmlu self-handling iżda li ukoll, bħala handlers ta' partijiet terzi, jipprovdu servizzi ta' handling lil sħabhom ta' alleanza, ta' sehem fil-kodiċi jew ta' rappreżentanza abbażi ta' l-arranġamenti ta' handling reċiproku bejn it-trasportaturi bl-ajru (‘jekk jien nagħmel handling miegħek fl-ajruport tiegħi, inti tagħmel handling miegħi fl-ajruport tiegħek’). Fejn fit-tali ajruporti l-operatur ta' l-ajruport huwa wkoll attiv fis-suq, is-sehem tas-suq li fadal biex jitqabbad mill- handlers indipendenti jista' jkun verament żgħir Dan jidher li ma nbidilx mill-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva. Il-fornituri tas-servizzi indipendenti jsostnu li minħabba din is-sitwazzjoni l-opportunitajiet tagħhom għall-kummerċ u għall-gwadann ma tantx tjiebu fir-realtà. Għaldaqstant, dan ma jidhirx li jikkonforma bis-sħiħ man-numri ogħla li ssemmew hawn fuq: li kieku l-fatti u l-figuri kienu verament moderati għall- handlers indipendenti, kif huma jsostnu, ħafna minnhom ma kienux jibqgħu fis-suq kif infatti hu l-każ.

14. Il-proċedura ta’ l-għażla

L-Artikolu 11 tad-Direttiva jeħtieġ li l-Istati Membri jieħdu l-miżuri meħtieġa għall-organizzazzjoni ta' proċedura ta' l-għażla għall-fornituri li jixtiequ jingħataw l-awtorizzazzjoni li jipprovdu s-servizzi tal- groundhandling fl-ajruporti fejn l-għadd tagħhom huwa limitat. Meta operatur ta' ajruport ma jkunx direttament jew indirettament involut fil-forniment ta' servizzi simili jista' jinħatar responsabbli għall-għażla mill-awtoritajiet pubbliċi. B'hekk, l-entità li tagħżel il- handler ma tistax tkun il-kompetitur tiegħu ġaladarba l- handler jibda joffri s-servizzi tiegħu. Iżda, fil-prattika mhux fil-każijiet kollha ġew żgurati d-diviżjoni u l-indipendenza li kienu maħsuba. Hemm każijiet fejn l-Istati Membri għandhom sehem finanzjarju f'ajruport li mhux biss jipprovdi l-infrastuttura għat-trasport bl-ajru iżda wkoll is-servizzi tal- groundhandling . B'riżultat ta' dan l-interess dirett ta' Stat Membru fil-possibbiltà ta' qligħ tal-kumpanija ta' l-ajruport, l-awtoritajiet ikkonċernati mhumiex dejjem lesti li jagħmlu l-għażla li hija fl-aħjar interess ta' dawk li jużaw l-ajruport.

15. L-Artikolu 11 jistpula wkoll li l-fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling jintagħżlu għal perijodu massimu ta' 7 snin. Il-fornituri tas-servizz u t-trasportaturi bl-ajru jaħsbu li dan il-perijodu huwa qasir wisq biex jippermettielhom jerġgħu jiksbu l-investimenti konsiderevoli li kienu għamlu fil-persunal u fit-tagħmir, għalkemm din ir-restrizzjoni ta' żmien mhix l-uniku aspett: il-fornituri tas-servizzi wkoll isibuha diffiċli biex ifasslu strateġiji fuq perijodu aktar fit-tul minħabba li t-trasportaturi bl-ajru mhumiex kuntenti li jidħlu f'kuntratti u impenji b'terminu twil. Perijodu ta' liċenzja iqsar , kif ġie stabbilit f'ċerti każijiet, jista' jagħmilha ferm aktar diffiċli, speċjalment għal dawk li għadhom kif daħlu, biex joħolqu negozju ġdid u, minħabba f'hekk, tista' sservi bħala ostakolu għall-aċċess.

16. Il-parteċipazzjoni ta' l-operatur ta' l-ajruport fis-suq tal- groundhandling

F'għadd imdaqqas ta' l-Istati Membri (fl-Awstrija, f'Cipru, fir-Repubblika Ċeka, fil-Franza, fl-Italja, f'Malta, fil-Polonja, fil-Portugall) l-operatur ta' l-ajruport huwa attiv fis-suq tal- groundhandling billi jipprovdi servizzi tal- handling u għalhekk huwa kompetitur dirett ta' fornituri tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling u t-trasportaturi bl-ajru li jipprovdu dawn is-servizzi għall-partijiet terzi. Ir-raġuni hi li f'dawk l-Istati Membri, u f'xi oħrajn ukoll, ġeneralment jeżisti obbligu legali għall-ajruporti biex jipprovdu servizzi tal- groundhandling . Il-ġustifikazzjoni għal dan hija li tipprevjeni s-sitwazzjoni li jeżistu ajruporti fejn ebda servizzi tal- groundhandling jiġu pprovduti. Xorta waħda, jibqa' l-fatt li f'ħafna ajruporti akbar fejn hemm numru biżżejjed ta' fornituri ta' servizzi interessati li jipprovdu s-servizzi tagħhom jew fejn l-utenti ta' l-ajruport jipprovdu ukoll handling minn-partijiet terzi, il-korpi ta' ġestjoni ta' l-ajruporti huma attivi fis-suq billi jipprovdu s-servizzi tal- handling . F'ħafna mit-tali ajruporti għandhom pożizzjoni qawwija, li tagħmilha diffiċli għal kompetitur jew għal min hu ġdid li jikseb sehem tas-suq (addizzjonali).

17. It-trasportaturi bl-ajru u l- handlers iqisu li f'dawk l-ajruporti fejn il-korp tal-ġestjoni imexxi l-ajruport iżda fl-istess ħin jaġixxi bħala fornitur ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling , hemm it-tixkil tal-kompetizzjoni, għaliex il-korp tal-ġestjoni ta' l-ajruport jista' jkollu kontroll żejjed fuq dak li jsir u b'hekk jaffettwa l-attivatijiet kummerċjali ta' kuljum fl-ajruport, biex ikun jista' jaġixxi bħala kompetitur normali. Fi kliem ieħor, l-operatur ta' l-ajruport huwa r-regolatur, is-sid, l-operatur ta' l-infrastruttura u l- groundhandler fl-istess ħin u dawn ir-rwoli huma konfliġġenti. Din id-Direttiva ma toffrix għodod b'saħħithom biżżejjed biex jipprevjenu sitwazzjoni bħal din. Min-naħa l-oħra, l-ajruporti jargumentaw li l-fornituri ta' servizzi indipendenti u t-trasportaturi bl-ajru igawdu minn benefiċċji li l-operaturi ta' l-ajruport mgħandhomx, għax il- handlers kbar indipendenti u t-trasportaturi bl-ajru ta' l-obbligu joperaw fuq livell globali u għalhekk qegħdin f'pożizzjoni li jibbenefikaw mill-ekonomiji skond il-kobor. It-tabella fl- Anness F turi f'liema ajruporti ta' l-UE l-operatur ta' l-ajruport qed iwettaq ukoll attività bħala fornitur ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling . Din it-tabella mhix kompluta għaliex mhux kull ajruport huwa msemmi.

18. Infrastruttura ċentralizzata

L-Artikolu 8 tad-Direttiva jippermetti lill-Istati Membri li jżommu għall-operatur ta' l-ajruport, il-maniġment ta' l-infrastruttura ċentraliżżata li tintuża għall-forniment ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling u li bil-kumplessità, l-ispiża jew l-impatt ambjentali tagħha, ma jippermettux is-separazzjoni jew duplikazzjoni tagħha. L-operatur ta' l-ajruport jista jeżiġi li l-fornituri u t-trasportaturi bl-ajru tas- self-handling ikunu obbligati jużaw din l-infrastruttura, u jistgħu jimponu l-imposti għall-użu tal-faċilitajiet. Din id-dispożizzjoni holqot inċertezza dwar id-definizzjoni ta' x'inhi eżattament infrastruttura ċentralizzata kif ukoll dwar kemm tiswa biex tintuża. Rigward din id-definizzjoni, f'xi wħud mill-Istati Membri dawk li jużaw l-ajruport ma jaraw ebda ħtieġa li l-awtoritjaiet jindaħlu f'din il-kwistjoni, filwaqt li f'xi Stati Membri oħra l-utenti huma favur iżda l-awtoritajiet damu biex jirreaġixxu. Kwistjoni aktar pressanti hija l-mod kif l-ajruporti jitolbu ħlas għall-użu ta' l-infrastruttura ċentralizzata mit-trasportaturi bl-ajru: din tvarja bejn ajruport u ieħor u mhix trasparenti. Jista' jkun hemm sovrapozizzjoni minħabba l-imposti ajrunawtiċi iżda peress li għad mhuwiex ċar il-mod ta' kalkolu ta' l-imposta għall-infrastruttura, dan mhux ċert. Il-korp ta' ġestjoni ta' ajruport jista' ukoll jagħti skont fuq dawn l-imposti lill-klijenti tiegħu tas-servizzi tal- handling u dan jista' jxekkel il-kompetizzjoni. Bħal eżempju, l- Anness G jsemmi għadd ta' ajruporti fl-UE u jistipula jekk l-infrastruttura ċentralizzata ġietx definita jew le, x'inhu il-bażi ta' l-imposti għall-infrastruttura u jekk kienx hemm xi problemi.

19. Aċċess għal stallazzjonijiet

Relatata mas-suġġett hawn fuq imsemmi hija d-dispożizzjoni ta' l-Artikolu 16 tad-Direttiva li tiggarantixxi aċċess għal stallazzjonijiet ta' l-ajruport lill-fornituri ta' servizzi u l-utenti ta' l-ajruport li jagħmlu self-handling . Tistipula wkoll li l-ispazju disponibbli għall- groundhandling f'ajruport għandu jiġi diviż bejn il-fornituri varji tas-servizzi tal- groundhandling u l-utenti ta' l-ajruport li jagħmlu s- self - handling sabiex jippermetti l-kompetizzjoni ġusta. Il-korp tal-ġestjoni ta' l-ajruport jista' jistipula kundizzjonijiet dwar dan l-aċċess u barra minhekk jista' jiġbor ħlas għall-aċċess li ġie definit aktar fid-dettal bħala ħlas kummerċjali, li għandu jiġi determinat skond il-kriterji rilevanti ta' oġġettività, trasparenza u mingħajr diskriminazzjoni. Fil-prattika, il-possibbiltà li jinġabar il-ħlas ma ttieħditx mill-ajruporti kollha: xi whud mill-ajruporti ma' jitolbux ħlas għall-aċċess minn għand il- handlers jew it-trasportaturi bl-ajru, iżda ajruporti oħra jitolbuh.

20. In-natura eżatta tal-ħlas għall-aċċess kien is-suġġett ta' proċedimenti legali bejn il-Lufthansa u l-Ajruport ta' Hannover-Langenhagen, b'dan ta' l-aħħar jieħu l-pożizzjoni li l-ħlas kellu jitqies bħala ħlas dovut għall-forniment ta' aċċess ekonomiku lit-trasportaturi bl-ajru fis-suq li huwa l-ajruport. Il-Lufthansa opponiet dan u kienet tal-fehma li l-ħlas kien marbut mas-servizz u għalhekk ried ikun hemm xi forma ta' relazzjoni bejn is-servizz ipprovdut mill-ajruport u l-ħlas innifsu. Fis-16 ta' Ottubru 2003, il-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja Ewropea ħadet id-deċiżjoni li l-Artikolu 16(3) jipprekludi operatur ta' l-ajruport milli jiftaħ aċċess għas-suq tal- groundhandling fl-ajruport soġġett għal ħlas minn trasportatur bl-ajru tas- self - handling jew minn fornitur ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling ta' ħlas għall-aċċess bħala valur għall-għoti ta' opportunità kummerċjali minbarra l-ħlas dovut minn dak is- self-handler jew fornitur ta' stallazzjonijiet ta' l-ajruport.[8] Il-ħlas li jista' jinġabar għall-użu ta' l-istallazzjonijiet ta' l-ajruport għandu jiġi determinat skond il-kriterji stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 16(3).

21. Fil-biċċa l-kbira ta' l-ajruporti ta' l-UE, il-korpi ta' ġestjoni għamlu li setgħu biex jakkomodaw dawk ġodda li daħlu fis-suq billi allokawlhom faċilitajiet minkejja l-limitazzjonijiet li kien hemm minħabba perijodi ta' l-aqwa intensità bħall-istaġuni tas-sajf jew inkella minħabba ftehimiet eżistenti ta' kirja li kellhom jiġu onorati. Ġeneralment, ma kien hemm ebda allokazzjoni jew distribuzzjoni ta' faċilitajiet inġusta u l-okkażjonijiet fejn il-ġodda ġew allokati faċilitajiet fqar għal t'apposta kienu ftit. Din hija konfermazzjoni siewja mill-perspettiva tal-kompetizzjoni, għax it-trasportaturi bl-ajru jifhmu li l-allokazzjoni tal-faċilitijiet lill- handlers jafettwa l-għażla kummerċjali tagħhom tal- handler .

22. Impjiegi

Groundhandling huwa intensiv fl-impjieg: madwar tlett kwarti mill-ispejjeż kollha tal- handling għandhom x'jaqsmu ma' l-impjieg tal-persunal. It-tħassib ġenerali fl-Istati Membri huwa li hija diffiċli għall-fornituri ta' servizzi tal- groundhandling biex jiġbdu, u jżommu, persunal ikkwalifikat li jagħmel l- handling għaliex jidher li hemm bdil sinifikanti ta' persunal. Minbarra dan, kien hemm allegazzjoni li ż-żieda fil-kompetizzjoni minħabba d-Direttiva waslet għat-tkeċċija min-naħa tat-trasportaturi ta' l-obbligu jew il-fornituri tas-servizz ta' għadd mill-persunal tagħhom filwaqt li dawk li daħlu akkwistaw impjegati ġodda iżda ġeneralment b'pagi aktar baxxi. Kien hemm, f'xi Stati Membri, element ta' pressjoni fuq ir-relazzjonijiet tax-xogħol, il-livelli tas-salarji u l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol u għalhekk fuq l-istabbiltà tal-forza tax-xogħol. Intqal li dawk ġodda li daħlu, u magħhom indirettament daħlet il-kompetizzjoni, kienu l-kaġun tad-deterjorament fil-kwalifiki u t-taħriġ tal-persunal u l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol tagħhom u li b'hekk il-kwalità tas-servizzi pprovduti tħassret. Madankollu, ma hemm ebda dejta disponibbli u din tagħmilha diffiċli biex dawn l-ipotesi jiġu ssostanzjati jew ivverifikati. L- Anness H jipprovdi tagħrif dwar liema tibdiliet fil-kundizzjonijiet soċjali seħħew mill-perspettiva ta' l-operaturi ta' l-ajruport, il-Kumitat ta' Dawk li Jużaw l-Ajruport u l-fornituri tas-servizzi rispettivament. Għandu jiġi nnotat li numru sinifikanti tal-partijiet interessati u li ġew intervistati ma reaġixxewx għall-mistoqsijiet dwar din il-kwistjoni u dan jista' jindika li mhuwiex punt ta' diskussjoni jew ta' tħassib partikolari għalihom. L- Annex I jipprovdi ħarsa ġenerali dwar l-opinjonijiet tal- unions u tal-kunsilli tax-xogħol rigward l-impatt allegat negattiv tad-Direttiva.

23. Riżultati ġenerali tad-Direttiva

L- Anness J jirrifletti r-riżultati ġenerali tad-Direttiva mill-perspettiva ta' l-operaturi ta' l-ajruport, il-Kumitati ta' Dawk li Jużaw l-Ajruport - li jikkonsistu f'trasportaturi bl-ajru - , u l-fornituri tas-servizz tal- groundhandling .

3. Applikazzjoni fl-għaxar Stati Membri mill-adeżjoni tagħhom fl-1 ta' Mejju 2004

24. Bħala riżultat tal-limiti stabbiliti bid-Direttiva, din ta' l-aħħar tapplika għal tlettax-il ajruport[9] f'disa' Stati Membri wara s-sħubija tagħhom ma' l-UE fl-2004 għax it-traffiku annwali ta' dawk l-ajruporti hija aktar minn miljun moviment ta' passiġġieri. Abbażi tat-tagħrif mogħti mill-awtoritajiet pubbliċi fl-Istati Membri kkonċernati[10], jidher li fil-maġġoranza ta' dawn l-Istati Membri d-Direttiva ġiet applikata b'mod korrett u l-Kummissjoni ma rċeviet ebda indikazzjoni mill-atturi fis-suq li jmur kontra dan it-tagħrif. Fi Stat Membru wieħed, is-sitwazzjoni mhix sodisfaċenti u l-Kummissjoni indirizzat l-awtoritajiet pubbliċi ta' dak l-Istat Membru dwar din il-kwistjoni.

Il-Kummissjoni tisħaq li f'kull każ fejn Stat Membru ma japplikax bis-sħiħ u b'mod korrett id-Direttiva, il-Kummissjoni tibqa' tipprova bla heda u permezz ta' l-azzjoni biex tikseb l-applikazjoni sħiħa tad-dispożizzjonijiet kollha tad-Direttiva.

4. Groundhandling u sigurtà

25. Il-Kummissjoni bdiet l-ispezzjonijiet Kommunitarji fil-qasam tas-sigurtà ta' l-avjazzjoni biss wara d-dħul fis-seħħ tad-Direttiva 96/67/KE. B'riżultat, ma setgħet issir ebda valutazzjoni ta' differenzi potenzjali fl-implimentazzjoni ta' miżuri ta' siġurtà fl-Ajruporti Kommunitarji qabel u wara l-ftuħ tas-suq tal- groundhandling. Abbażi tar-riżultati ta' l-ispezzjonijiet tal-Kummissjoni li ilhom isiru minn Frar 2004, kif ukoll abbażi tal-kontenut fir-rapporti annwali ta' l-Istati Membri dwar il-kwalità nazzjonali fil-qasam tas-sigurtà ta' l-avjazzjoni, ma hemm ebda indikazzjoni li tissuġġerixxi li l-għadd ta' fornituri tas-servizzi tal- ground handling li huma attivi f'ajruport, u li n-numri tagħhom ivarja b'mod sinifikanti bejn l-Istati Membri, kellu impatt reali fuq il-kwalità tas-sigurtà u l-iżgurar ta' l-implimentazzjoni tar-rekwiżiti għas-sigurtà.Aċċess għal ċerti attivitajiet ta' ground handling bħat-tindif ta' l-ajruplan u l- catering jistgħu jiġu kkunsidrati bħala sensittivi f'dak li għandu x'jaqsam mas-sigurtà għax dawn isiru fuq ir-rampa ta' ajruport u fl-ajruplan innifsu, u ma' ġiex ristrett fid-Direttiva. F'ħafna mill-ajruporti kbar ta' l-UE, l-għadd ta' fornituri ta' dawn is-servizzi huwa konsiderevolement ogħla minn tnejn. Madankollu, il-preżenza tagħhom fuq ir-rampa ma tatx lok għal tħassib dwar siġurtà.

26. Rekwiżiti ddettaljati ta' sigurtà għal persunal u għal vetturi li jidħlu f'postijiet kritiċi fiż-żoni ta' l-ajruporti ristretti minħabba s-sigurtà huma stabbiliti fir-Regolament (KE) 2320/2002 li jistabbilixxi regoli komuni dwar il-qasam tas-sigurtà fl-avjazzjoni, kif ukoll fir-Regolamenti tal-Kummissjoni (KE) 622/2003 u 1138/2004. Dawn ir-rekwiżiti japplikaw għall-persunal kollu li jaħdem f'tali żoni u jinkludu l-iċċekkjar obbligatorju fl-isfond dwar l-identità ta' persuna u l-passat tagħha, inkluż rigward kwalunkwe passat kriminali, il-kontroll strett ta' identità u l- iscreening fiżiku tal-persunal mad-dħul f'dawk il-partijiet kritiċi taż-żona ristretta għas-sigurtà u t-twettiq ta' programm ta' taħriġ u għarfien tas-sigurtà għal kull membru tal-persunal ikkonċernat. Dawn ir-rekwiżiti komuni wrew li waslu għall-forniment ta' livell adegwat ta' siġurtà, ikun x'ikun l-għadd ta' fornituri ta' ground handling f'ajruport.

5. It-triq ’il quddiem

27. F'Marzu 2003 is-servizzi tal-Kummissjoni ippubblikaw Karta ta' Konsultazzjoni dwar kwistjonijiet li għandhom jiġu indirizzati waqt reviżjoni tad-Direttiva. L-Istati Membri, il-pajjiżi ta' adeżjoni u dawk li huma involuti fl-industrija tat-trasport bl-ajru ġew mistiedna biex jagħtu l-opinjonijiet tagħhom u għamlu hekk b'mod estensiv. Waqt seduta li kienet saret fis-6 ta' April 2006, il-Kummissjoni għal darb'oħra ikkonsultat ruħha mal-partijiet interessati kollha dwar il-possibiltajiet varji għal tfassil ta' proposta għal reviżjoni tad-Direttiva.

28. Għadd kbir ta' partijiet interessati rrikonoxxew il-ħtieġa għat-titjib fid-Direttiva fis-sens li għandha tinkiseb simplifikazzjoni tad-Direttiva kif ukoll kjarifika tad-dispożizzonijiet li fiż-żmien wara l-1996 it-tifsira u l-ambitu tagħhom ġew soġġetti għal interpretazzjonijiet differenti. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tiddefinixxi l-kors ta' azzjoni tagħha abbażi tad-diskussjoni ta' dan ir-rapport fil-Kunsill u fil-Parlament Ewropew. Minbarra s-simplifikazzjoni u l-kjarifika tad-Direttiva, proposta fil-ġejjieni tista' timmira biex tipprovdi għal aktar ftuħ fis-suq u biex tirregola kwistjonijiet li saru rilevanti mill-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva 'l hawn. Kwistjonijiet bħal dawn huma d-definizzjoni tar-rekwiżiti għall- insurance u l-istandards ta' kwalità applikabbli f'ajruport, u t-titjib fil-proċedura għall-għażla tal-fornituri ta' servizzi. Fi kwalunkwe każ, il-Kummissjoni tibqa' issegwi mill-qrib is-suq tal- groundhandling bl-iskop li tivvaluta aktar l-iżvilupp tiegħu.

6. Konklużjonijiet

29. Id-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 96/67/KEE waslet għal:

(a) l-introduzzjoni ta' kompetizzjoni f'ħafna ajruporti li qabel kienu magħluqa jew li kienu swieq qiegħda;

(b) valur aħjar għall-flus li ntefqu għas-servizzi tal- groundhandling ;

(c) aktar pressjoni fuq il-prezzijiet għas-servizzi tal- groundhandling ;

(d) f'xi każijiet aġir ta' dewmien min-naħa ta' l-awtoritajiet kompetenti rigward l-applikazzjoni sħiħa tad-Direttiva;

(e) ċertu impatt fuq il-kundizzjonijiet ta' l-impjieg fl-industrija iżda ebda evidenza ta' tnaqqis ġenerali fl-impjiegi;

(f) rijorganizzazzjoni modesta fl-ishma tas-suq tal- groundhandling fl-ajruporti ta' l-UE l-aktar importanti f'sens ekonomiku.

ANNEX A

Capacity and space problems - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Did new entrants have any capacity or space constraints? | Have there been problems with suppliers already operating at the airport? | Have you had problems allocating new handlers? | Are there any hindrances for the access of suppliers to the market? | Are you aware of any preferential treatment of handling customers of the airport? |

Paris-Orly | Airport operator: Yes, the space allocated to each handler is proportional to its volume of activity. Cariane: No | Airport operator: No Cariane: No | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No Cariane: No | Cariane: No |

Marseille-Provence | Airport operator: No AUC: No | Airport operator: No AUC: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No AUC: No | AUC: No |

Bâle-Mulhouse | Swissport: No comment | Swissport: Yes, insufficient number of check-in counters | Swissport: No | Swissport: N/a |

Bordeaux-Mérignac | Airport operator: Yes, space constraints | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: If new entrance, capacity or space constraints | Airport operator: If new entrance, capacity or space constraints | Airport operator: If new entrance, capacity or space constraints |

Berlin-Schönefeld | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No |

Berlin-Tegel | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: No |

Hahn | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No |

Dusseldorf | Airport operator: No, space allocation at the apron for ramp handling is limited even if only one third party handler is operating AUC: No Aviapartner: Yes, poor locations, sometimes obligation to take too much space at high cost | Airport operator: No AUC: No Aviapartner: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No AUC: No Aviapartner: not really, concession contracts | AUC: No Aviapartner: No |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Ground handler: Aviapartner: Yes, poor locations, sometimes obligation to take too much space at high cost Hannover Aviation Ground Service: Yes | Aviapartner: No Hannover Aviation Ground Service: Yes | Aviapartner: not really, concession contracts Hannover Aviation Ground Service: N/a. | Aviapartner: No Hannover Aviation Ground Service: No |

Leipzig-Halle | Airport operator: Yes AUC: No PortGround: Yes, regulations on use of airport | Airport operator: No AUC: No PortGround: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No AUC: No PortGround: No | AUC: No PortGround: No |

Köln-Bonn | Airport operator: No AUC: No Aviapartner: Yes, poor locations, sometimes obligation to take too much space at high cost | Airport operator: No AUC: No Aviapartner: No | Airport operator: Yes, in 1998 the airport filed an exemption request caused by capacity constraints. The airport had to build up additional staging areas. | Airport operator: Yes, due to the limitations according to BADV AUC: No Aviapartner: Not really, concession contracts | AUC: No Aviapartner: No |

Shannon | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: Yes, space for cargo handling limited- one supplier requires extension to premises. | Airport operator: Not yet | Airport operator: No |

Torino-Caselle | Sagat: No | Sagat: No | Sagat: No | Sagat: No |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | Airport operator: Yes | Airport operator: Yes |

Alicante | Aena: No | Aena: Yes | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No |

Bilbao | Aena: No Iberia: No | Aena: No Iberia: No | Aena: No | Aena: No Iberia: No | Aena: No Iberia: N/a |

Gran Canaria | Aena: Yes / subject to space availability | Aena: Yes | Aena: No | Aena: Yes / rules that handlers must comply with | Aena: N/a |

Ibiza | Aena: No Ineuropa: Yes | Aena: No Ineuropa: Yes | Aena: No | Aena: No Ineuropa: No | Aena: No Ineuropa: N/a |

Lanzarote | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: N/a |

Malaga | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: Yes /minimum requirements | Aena: N/a |

Sevilla | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: No | Aena: N/a |

Göteborg-Landvetter | AUC: Yes, Servisair has insufficient premises | AUC: No | AUC: No | AUC: N/a |

London-Gatwick | Airport operator: No AUC: Yes, capacity and space constraints demand management | Airport operator:Yes, reallocate facilities already used by existing handlers through the transition period. AUC:Yes, check-in and parking problems but have been resolved. | Airport operator:Yes, these were managed through the transition period of introducing another handler | Airport operator: No AUC: Yes, limitation on the number of airside handlers to 4. | AUC: N/a |

London-Stansted | Airport operator: Yes, cargo space restriction due to no new construction of space for new entrants initially. ASIG: Yes, facilities to operate from are indequate. | Airport operator: Pre-Directive – No Post-Directive – Yes, due to space constraints | Airport operator: Yes, in all areas with new handlers as initial entrants | Airport operator: No other than accommodation ASIG: Yes, if into-plane companies want to supply services to unhandle the into-wing price of fuel and will not supply fuel separately. | ASIG: No |

Luton | Airport operator: Yes, shortage of space | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No |

Newcastle | Airport operator: No Servisair: Yes | Servisair: Yes, a licence is required | Servisair: BA seems to get priority. |

Aberdeen | Airport operator: No Servisair: No | Airport operator: No Servisair: No | Airport operator: No | Airport operator: No Servisair: Yes, apron congestion for additional GSE. | Servisair: N/a |

Edinburgh | Airport operator: No AUC: No Aviance: No Servisair: No | Airport operator: No AUC: Yes Aviance: No Servisair: Yes, difficulties have been experienced with available property, equipment parking and staff car parking | Airport operator: Yes, airside accommodation | Airport operator: Yes, Space for equipment and accommodation airside AUC: No Aviance: No Servisair: No | AUC: N/a Aviance: No Servisair: No |

Glasgow | Airport operator: No Airline Services: No Aviance: No Servisair: Not at start Execair: No | Airline Services: No Aviance: No Servisair: No | Airport operator: No | Airline Services: No Aviance: No Servisair: No | Airline Services: N/a Aviance: N/a Servisair: N/a |

ANNEX B

concerning the procedure laid down by Article 1, para 4 of Council Directive 96/67/EC

According to the provisions of Article 1(4) of Council Directive 96/67/EC of 15 October 1996 on access to the groundhandling market at Community airports[11], the Commission is required to publish, for information, a list of the airports referred to in the Directive.

Airports whose annual traffic is more than 2 million passenger movements or 50.000 tonnes of freight | Airports whose annual traffic is more than 1 million passenger movements or 25.000 tons of freight | Other airports open to commercial traffic |

Austria | Vienna | Salzburg | Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz |

Belgium | Brussels, Charleroi, Oostende, Liège-Bierset | Antwerpen |

Cyprus | Larnaca | Paphos |

Czech Republic | Prague | Brno, Karlovy-Vary, Ostrava, Pardubice |

Denmark | Copenhagen Kastrup | Billund | Aars, Anholt, Århus, Aalborg, Karup, Odense, Esbjerg, Bornholm, Sønderborg, Vojens, Thisted, Stauning, Skive, Roskilde, Hadsund, Herning, Kalundborg, Koster Vig, Laesoe, Lemvig, Lolland-Falster, Viborg, Tønder, Sydfyn, Sindal, Padborg, Ærø, Randers, Ringsted, Kolding, Spjald, Morso, Samso |

Estonia | Tallinn, Kärdla, Kuressaare, Pärnu, Tartu |

Finland | Helsinki-Vantaa | Enontekiö, Helsinki-Malmi, Ivalo, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kemi-Tornio, Kittillä, Kruunupyy, Kuopio, Kuusamo, Lappeenranta, Maarianhamina, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Savonlinna, Seinäjoki,Tampere-Pirkkala, Turku, Vaasa, Varkaus |

France | Paris-CDG, Paris-Orly, Nice-Côte d’Azur, Marseille-Provence, Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Toulouse-Blagnac, Bâle-Mulhouse, Bordeaux-Mérignac | Pointe-à-Pitre-Le Raizet, Nantes-Atlantique, Montpellier-Méditerranée, Fort de France-Le Lamentin, Beauvais-Tille, Strasbourg | Agen-La-Garenne, Ajaccio-Campo dell’oro, Albi-Le-Sequestre, Angers-Marce, Angoulème-Brie-Champniers, Annécy-Meythet, Aubenas-Vals-Lanas, Aurillac, Auxerre-Branches, Avignon-Caumont, Bastia-Poretta, Beauvoir-cote-de-lumiere, Bergerac-Roumanière, Besancon-la Veze, Béziers-Vias, Biarritz-Bayonne-Anglet, Blois-le Breuil, Bourges, Brest-Guipavas, Brive-La Roche, Caen-Carpiquet, Cahors-Lalbenque, Calais-Dunkerque, Calvi-Ste Catherine, Cannes-Mandelieu, Cannes-Palmbeach, Carcassonne-Salvaza, Castres-Mazamet, Cayenne-Rochambeau, Chalon-Champforgeuil, Chalon-Vatry, Chambéry-Aix les Bains, Charleville-Mezières, Chateauroux-Deols, Cherbourg-Maupertus, Cholet-Le-Pontreau, Clermont-Ferrand-Aulnat, Cognac-Chateaubernard,Colmar-Houssen, Courchevel, Deauville-St Gatien, Dieppe-Saint Gatien, Dijon-Longvic, Dinnard-Pleurtuit-St Malo, Dole-Tavaux, Epinal-Mirecourt, Figari-Sud Corse, Gap-Tallard, Granville, Grenoble-St Geoirs, Ile d’Yeu-le-Grand Phare, La Baule-Escoublac, La Mole, La Rochelle-Laleu, Lannion-Servel, La-Roche-sur-Yon-Les-Ajoncs, Lannion, Laval-Entrammes, Le Havre-Octeville, Le Mans-Arnage,Le Puy-Loudes, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Lille-Lesquin, Limoges-Bellegarde, Lorient Lann-Bihoue, Lyon Bron, Macon-Charnay, Metz-Nancy-Lorraine, Monbeliard-Courcelles, Montluçon-Gueret, Morlaix-Ploujean, Moulins-Montbeugny, Nancy-Essey, Nevers-Fourchambault, Nîmes-Garons,Niort-Souché, Ouessant,Pau-Pyrénnées, Périgueux-Bassillac, Perpignan-Rivesaltes, Poitiers-Biard, Pontoise-Cormeilles, Port Grimaud, Quimper-Pluguffan, Reims-Champagne, Rennes-St Jacques,Roanne-Renaison,Rochefort-St Agnant, Rodez-Marcillac, Rouen-Vallée de la Seine, St Brieux-Armor, St Denis-Gillot.St Etienne-Bouthéon, St Nazaire-Montoir, St Tropez La Mole, Saint Yan , Samur Saint Florent, Tarbes-Oussun-Lourdes, Toulon-Hyères-Le-Palyvestre,Tours-St.Symphorien, Troyes-Barberey, Valence-Chabeuil, Valenciennes-Denain, Vichy-Charmeil |

Germany | Berlin-Tegel, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/Main, Hahn, Hannover-Langenhagen, Leipzig-Halle,Stuttgart, München, Nürnberg, Köln-Bonn | Berlin-Schönefeld, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Münster/Osnabrück, Paderborn-Lippstadt | Altenburg-Nobitz, Augsburg, Barth, Bayreuth, Berlin-Tempelhof, Bielefeld, Braunschweig, Chemnitz-Jahnsdorf, Cottbus-Drewitz, Cottbus-Neuhausen, Egelsbach, Eisenach-Kindel, Erfurt, Essen/Mühlheim, Friedrichshafen, Gera, Heringsdorf, Hof-Plauen, Jena-Schöngleina, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Kassel, Kiel, Lahr, Lübeck-Blankensee, Magdeburg, Marl-Loemühle, Meschede, Mönchengladbach, Niederrhein, Neubrandenburg, Passau-Vilshofen, Porta-Westfalica, Rothenburg/Görlitz, Rostock-Laage, Saarbrücken-Ensheim, Schönhagen, Schwerin-Parchim, Siegerland, Speyer-Ludwigshafen, Stendal-Borstel, Strausberg, Welzow, Zweibrucken |

Greece | Athinai, Iraklion, Thessaloniki, Rodos | Chania, Kerkira, Kos | Alexandroupoulis, Araxos, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kastoria, Kavala, Kozani, Nea Anchialos, Preveza, Astypalaia, Chios, Ikaria, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kefallonia, Kithira, Leros, Limnos, Mikonos, Milos, Mitilini, Naxos, Paros, Samos, Santorini, Siros, Sitia, Skiathos, Skiros, Zakinthos |

Hungary | Budapest Ferihegy | Balaton-West, Debrecen, Györ-Pér, Szeged |

Ireland | Dublin, Shannon, Cork | Knock, Kerry, Galway, Donegal, Sligo, Waterford |

Italy | Roma-Fiumicino, Roma-Ciampino Milano-Malpensa, Milano-Linate, Napoli, Bologna, Catania, Palermo, Bergamo, Venezia, Torino, Verona, Cagliari, Pisa | Olbia, Firenze, Bari, Lamezia, Genova | Albenga, Alghero-Fertilia, Ancona-Falconara, Aosta, Biella-Cerrione, Bolzano, Brescia, Brindisi-Papola Casale, Crotone, Cuneo-Levaldigi, Foggia-Gino Lisa, Forli, Grosseto, Lampedusa, Marina di Campo, Padova, Pantelleria, Parma, Perugia-Sant’Egidio, Pescara, Reggio Calabria, Rimini-Miramare, Siena-Ampugnano, Taranto-Grottaglie, Tortoli, Trapani-Birgi, Treviso-Sant’Angelo, Trieste-Ronchi dei Legionari, Vicenza |

Latvia | Riga | Daugavpils, Liepaja, Ventspils |

Lithuania | Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, Siauliai |

Luxembourg | Luxembourg |

Malta | Luqa-Malta |

Netherlands | Amsterdam-Schiphol | Maastricht-Aken , Rotterdam | Eindhoven, Groningen-Eelde, Twente-Enschede |

Poland | Warszawa-Okecie | Bydgoszcz, Gdansk, Katowice-Pyrzowice, Krakow, Lódz-Lublinek, Poznan-Lawice, Rzeszów-Jasionka, Szczytno-Szymany, Szczecin-Goleniów, Wroclaw-Strachowice, Zielona-Góra-Babimost |

Portugal | Lisboa, Faro | Funchal, Porto | Braga, Chaves, Coimbra, Corvo, Evora, Flores, Horta, Lages, Porto Santo, Santa Maria, Pico, Saõ Jorge, Cascais/Tires, Graciosa, Vila Real, Covilhã, Viseu, Bragança, Ponta Delgada, Portimao, Sines, Vilar de Luz (Maia) |

Slovakia | Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Piestany, Poprad-Tatry, Prievidza, Sliac, Zilina |

Slovenia | Ljubljana | Ajdovscina, Bovec, Celje, Lesce, Maribor, Murska Sobota, NovoMesto, Portoroz, Postojna, Ptuj, Slovenjgrodec, Valenje |

Spain | Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Menorca, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla, Tenerife Norte, Tenerife Sur, Valencia | Jerez, Reus, Santiago, Vitoria | Albacete,Almeria, Asturias, Badajoz, Cordoba, El Hierro, Gomera, Granada, La Coruna, La Palma, Leon, Madrid-C.Vientos, Melilla, Murcia, Pamplona, Salamanca, San Sebastian, Santander, Valladolid, Vigo, Zaragoza |

Sweden | Göteborg-Landvetter, Stockholm-Arlanda | Malmo-Sturup, Stockholm/Bromma, Stockholm/Skavsta | Ängelholm, Arvika, Arvidsjaur, Borlänge, Eskilstuna, Falköping, Gällivare, Gällivare/Vassare, Ljungby/Feringe, Ljungbyhed, Ludvika, Gävle-Sandviken, Gothenburg-Säve, Hagfors, Halmstad, Hemavan, Helsingborg/Hamnen, Hultsfred, Jokkmokk, Jönköping, Kalmar, Karlskoga, Karlstad, Kiruna, Kiruna/Loussajärvi, Kramfors, Kristianstad, Lidköping; Linköping/Malmen, Linköping/SAAB, Luleå/Kallax, Lycksele, Mora/Siljan, Norrköping/Kungsängen, Oskarshamn, Pajala, Ronneby, Satenäs, Skellefteå, Skövde, Stockholm/Västeras, Storuman, Stromstadt/Nasinge, Sundsvall/Härnösand, Sveg, Söderhamn, Torsby/Fryklanda, Trollhättan-Vänersborg, Umeå, Uppsala, Uppsala/Viktoria, Vilhelmina, Visby, Växjö-Kronoberg, Örebro, Örnsköldsvick, Östersund/Frösön |

United Kingdom | Aberdeen, Belfast-International, Belfast-City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, East-Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, London-Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Nottingham East Midlands, Prestwich. | Cardiff Wales, Kent International, London City, Southampton | Teesside, Inverness, Sumburgh, Humberside, Bournemouth, Norwich, Exeter, St Mary’s (Scilly), Penzance, Plymouth, Scatsta, Stornway, Kirkwall, Blackpool, City of Derry, Sheffield, Benbecula, Tresco (Scilly), Wick, Cambridge, Islay, Isle of Man, Dundee, Campbeltown, Barra, Biggin Hill, Battersea, Tiree, Lerwick, Southend, Lydd, Hawarden, Coventry, Gloucester, Shoreham, Unst, Carlisle, Barrow, Newquay, Fermanagh |

ANNEX C

Summary of price developments - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Airport operator | Airline | AUC | AOC | Handler |

Vienna | -15% | Austrian Airlines: -5% | -5% | -10% | VAS: no insight |

Brussels | Increase | Lufthansa: increase | No change | BGS: no change Aviapartner: no change |

Copenhagen | Decrease | -10 to -15% | Novia: decreased SAS: frozen1 |

Helsinki | No insight | British Airways: no change | Stable | GlobeGround: no major change Finnair: -30% to -40% Fortum: no change |

Lyon | -50% | Brit Air: no change | Slight decrease | Aviapartner: -20% Servisair: -20% |

Nice | Air France: no change | Swissport: lower |

Paris-CDG | -20% | Lufthansa: +8% | Slight decrease |

Toulouse | Decrease | Slight decrease | Servisair: -20% Aviapartner: -20% |

Frankfurt | -5% to -15% | British Airways: significant decrease | -10% | No change | Acciona Airport Services: decrease |

Hamburg | -5% to -15% | No insight | No insight | Checkpoint B: -15% to -20% Swissport and Menzies: -10% to -15% |

Munich | -15% | British Airways: 15% to -25% | Frozen | Aviapartner: -20% |

Nuremberg | -10% to -20% | Eurowings: -15% | Frozen | Aviapartner: -20% |

Stuttgart | Decrease | Alitalia: no change | -15% to -20% | Decreased | Servisair: airlines expected -25% Aerogate: decreased |

Athens | -30% to -40% | Decrease | Swissport: -40% Goldair: large discounts |

Heraklion | -15% |

Dublin | No insight | Ryaniar: no insight Aer Lingus: +10% | No change | Servisair: -5% to -7.5% Aviance: no insight |

Milan-MXP | -20% |

Naples | -25% | No change |

Rome-FCO | -10 to –25% | Alitalia: Decrease | EAS: -30% |

Luxembourg | No change | Cargolux: increased | Increase | Decrease | CSLux: frozen Luxair: frozen |

Amsterdam | -5% to -10% | KLM: Decrease2 | Decrease | GlobeGround: Decrease2 |

Faro | Decrease | Charter airlines: -10% | Decrease | Decrease | Portway: -25% TAP Handling: -15% |

Lisbon | Significant reductions up to 50% | Lufthansa: -20% | Decrease | Decrease | Portway: -10% |

Barcelona | Decrease | Decrease | Iberia Handling: decrease |

Fuerteventura | Decrease |

Madrid | Decrease | Decrease | Ineuropa and Iberia Handling: decrease |

Palma de Mallorca | Decrease | Decrease | Ineuropa: -20% |

Tenerife Sur | Decrease | -20% |

Stockholm | -20% to -30% | Skyways: -10 to -15% | No change | Decrease | Air Cargo Center: slight decrease Novia: -20% to -30% Servisair: decrease |

Belfast | No insight | BMI: no insight | No insight | No insight | Servisair: -10% Aviance: -5% |

Birmingham | Decrease | Aer Lingus: frozen British Airways: slight increase | Frozen | Groundstar: no change Servsisair: no insight Aviance: frozen |

London-LHR | No comment | American: -20% Malaysia Airlines: -10% to –40% | No comment | No comment | Swissport: -25% to -30% |

Manchester | +10%3 | Monarch: no change | Aviance: -20% since 1992 Ringway: no change Servisair: -10% to -15% |

1. But off-peak prices are estimated to have decreased up to 35%.

2. Price erosion started in 1993 with the entrance of Ogden.

3. Decrease in prices took place in 1992 when market was opened, but since the implementation of the Directive, Manchester Airport estimates the prices have increased.

Price developments - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Airport operator | AUC | Ground handler |

Paris-Orly | No comment | Cariane: Higher (Directive) |

Marseille-Provence | -15% (Industry) | Lower (Industry) |

Bordeaux-Mérignac | Lower |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | Unknown | Swissport: – 20% (Directive) Aviapartner: -20% (Directive and industry) |

Berlin-Schönefeld | Increase (Industry) |

Hahn | Decrease (Industry) |

Dusseldorf | - 20% (Industry) | -5% (Directive) | Aviapartner: -20% (fear of Directive) |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Aviapartner: -20% (fear of Directive) Hannover Ground Aviation Service: -20% to -30% (Industry) |

Leipzig-Halle | -10% (Directive and industry) | No change | PortGround: decrease |

Köln-Bonn | -7% (Directive and industry) | Decrease (Industry) | Aviapartner: -20% (fear of Directive) |

Shannon | No change |

Torino-Caselle | Sagat: -15% (Directive and industry) |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | No comment | PGA: increase (Directive) |

Alicante | -20% to -25% (Directive and industry) |

Bilbao | -20% to -25% (Directive and industry) | Iberia: -20% (Industry) |

Gran Canaria | -20% to -25% (Directive) |

Ibiza | -20% to -25% (Directive and industry) | Ineuropa: -15% (Industry) |

Lanzarote | -20% to -25% (Directive and industry) | Nordic: N/a |

Malaga | -20% to -25% (Directive) |

Sevilla | -20% to -25% (Directive and industry) |

Göteborg-Landvetter | Decrease (Directive and industry) |

London-Gatwick | No insight | No change | Inflight Cleaning Services Ltd.: -10% (Directive) |

London-Stansted | Stansted Airport Limited: -30% (Directive and industry) ASIG: -20% (Directive and industry) |

Luton | -10% (Directive and industry) |

Newcastle | Decrease (Directive) | Servisair: -15% (Industry) |

Aberdeen | No change | Servisair: decrease (Directive and industry) |

Bristol | N/C |

Edinburgh | Decrease (Industry) | Aviance: -5% (Industry) Servisair: -20% (Directive and industry) |

Glasgow | No change | Airline Services Ltd.: Anticipated changes due to progress in service standards. Avance; no change Execair: +10% (Industry) Servisair: -25% (Industry) |

ANNEX D

Summary of quality developments - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Airport operator | Airline | AUC | AOC | Handler |

Vienna | No change | Austrian Airlines: increase | VAS: no insight |

Brussels | Increase | Lufthansa: no change | No change | BGS: increase Aviapartner: no change |

Copenhagen | Decrease | SAS: no change |

Helsinki | No change | British Airways: no change | No change | GlobeGround: increase Finnair: no change Fortum: increase |

Lyon | Decrease | Brit Air: increase | No change | Aviapartner: decrease Servisair: decrease Globeground: increase |

Nice | Decrease | Swissport: increase |

Paris-CDG | Unstable | No change | Globeground: increase |

Toulouse | Decrease | No change | Aviapartner: decrease Servisair: decrease |

Frankfurt | No change | British Airways: no change | No change | No change | Acciona Airport Services: no change |

Hamburg | No change | No change | No change | Checkpoint B: no change AHS Handling: increase Swissport: no change |

Munich | - 5% | British Airways: no change | Decrease/ no change | Aviapartner: no change |

Nuremberg | No change | No change | Aviapartner: no change |

Stuttgart | No change | Alitalia: increase | No change | No change | Servisair: no change Aerogate: decrease |

Athens | Increase | Increase | Increase | Olympic Handling and Goldair: increase |

Heraklion | Increase | Increase |

Dublin | Decrease | Aer Lingus: no change | No change | Servisair: no change Aviance: increase |

Milan-MXP | No change | No change |

Naples | Increase | No change |

Rome-FCO | No change | Alitalia: increase | Increase | EAS: increase |

Luxembourg | No change | CSLux: increase Luxair: increase |

Amsterdam | Decrease | KLM: No change | SGUC: decrease | No change | GlobeGround: no insight |

Faro | Increase | Charter airlines: increase | Increase during off peak |

Lisbon | No change | Lufthansa: increase | Increase |

Barcelona | Decrease | Decrease |

Fuerteventura | Increase |

Madrid | Increase |

Palma de Mallorca | Increase | Increase | Iberia Handling and Ineuropa: increase |

Tenerife Sur | Increase | Ineuropa: increase |

Stockholm | -10% to -20% | Skyways: decrease | No change | Novia: no change Servisair: increase |

Belfast | No change | BMI: no change | No change | Servisair: +15% Aviance: no change |

Birmingham | Decrease | Aer Lingus: increase | Increase | Groundstar: increase Servisair: increase |

London-LHR | No comment | United: decrease Malaysian Airlines: -10% Singapore Airlines: increase | No comment | No comment | Swissport: no change |

Manchester | Decrease | Decrease | Decrease | Aviance: increase Ringway: increase Servisair: decrease |

Quality developments - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Airport operator | AUC | Ground handler |

Paris-Orly | No comment | Cariane: increase (Directive) |

Marseille-Provence | No change | No change |

Bordeaux-Mérignac | Decrease |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | Increase (Industry) | Swissport: decrease (Directive) Aviapartner: decrease (Directive and industry) |

Berlin-Schönefeld | No change |

Hahn | No change |

Dusseldorf | No change | +10% (Directive and industry) | Aviapartner: no change |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Aviapartner: no change Hannover Ground Aviation Service: decrease (Industry) |

Leipzig-Halle | No change | No change | Aviapartner: no change |

Köln-Bonn | No change | No change | Aviapartner: no change |

Shannon | Increase (Directive and industry) |

Torino-Caselle | Sagat: no change |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | Increase (Directive) | PGA: no change |

Alicante | Increase (Directive and industry) |

Bilbao | Increase (Directive and industry) | Iberia: +10% (Industry) |

Gran Canaria | Increase (Directive) |

Ibiza | Increase (Directive and industry) | Ineuropa: Increase |

Lanzarote | Increase (Directive and industry) | Nordic: N/a |

Malaga | Increase (Directive) |

Sevilla | Increase (Directive and industry) |

Göteborg-Landvetter | Decrease (Industry) |

London-Gatwick | No change | No comment | Inflight Cleaning Services: -10% (Directive) |

London-Stansted | Decrease (Directive and industry) | ASIG: no change |

Luton | +10% (Industry) |

Newcastle | No change | Servisair: no change |

Aberdeen | No change | Servisair: increase (Industry) |

Bristol | No comment |

Edinburgh | No change | Aviance: -10% (Industry) Servisair: increase (Industry) |

Glasgow | Increase (Industry) | Airline Services: increase (Industry) Aviance: +10% (Industry) Servisair: +25% (Industry) |

ANNEX E

Number of handlers - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Number of third party handlers1 |

Passenger handling (2) | Baggage handling (3) | Freight and mail handling (4) | Ramp handling (5.4) | Fuel and oil handling (7) |

Passenger handling (2) | Baggage handling (3) | Freight and mail handling (4) | Ramp handling (5.4) | Fuel and oil handling (7) |

Paris-Orly | Yes | Yes | ADP separated its accounts before the Directive came into force. ADP accountants are responsible for the separation of accounts. |

Marseille-Provence | No |

Bordeaux-Mérignac | No |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | Yes | Aviapartner: Yes | No | CAA responsible for checking the separation of accounts. |

Berlin-Schönefeld | Yes | No |

Berlin-Tegel | Yes | Yes | Meeting of shareholders and board of directors |

Hahn | Yes | Yes | Use of certified accountant |

Dusseldorf | Yes | AUC: Yes, high market share and long term contracts | Yes | AUC: Yes, suggestion | Own profit centre and separation of revenue and costs. Safeguarded by finance department and controlling system, also checked by the AUC. |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Yes | Hannover ground aviation service: No | Yes | Hannover Ground Aviation Service: No | By CAA |

Leipzig-Halle | Yes | PortGround: No | Yes | ProtGround: No | Separate investment |

Köln-Bonn | Yes | AUC: Yes | Yes | AUC: Unknown | Separate business unit (profit centre), checked by independent accountant |

Shannon | Yes | Yes | Direct revenues and costs are allocated to the individual business area. Indirect costs are apportioned based on the outputs of a cost attribution model. Checked by external auditors. |

Torino-Caselle | Yes | Sagat: No | Yes | Different companies |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | Yes | PGA: Yes | Yes | PGA: Probably |

Alicante | No |

Bilbao | No |

Gran Canaria | No |

Ibiza | No |

Lanzarote | No |

Malaga | No |

Menorca | No |

Sevilla | No |

Göteborg-Landvetter | No |

London-Gatwick | No |

London-Stansted | No |

Luton | No |

Newcastle | No |

Aberdeen | No |

Bristol | No |

Edinburgh | No |

Glasgow | No |

ANNEX G

Centralised infrastructure - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | CI defined | Charging Base | Users consulted? | Problems |

Paris-Orly | Yes | Cost related | Yes | No |

Marseille-Provence | Yes | Number of passengers and usage | No | No |

Bâle-Mulhouse | Yes | No separate charges | Yes | No |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | Yes | Covered by passenger security charge | Yes | No |

Berlin-Schönefeld | Yes | Based on number of passengers, MTOW or usage | Yes | No |

Berlin-Tegel | Yes | Parts are covered by aeronautical charges and the access fee, other elements based on number of passengers and MTOW | Yes | Yes |

Hahn | Yes | Cost related | Yes | No |

Dusseldorf | Yes | Cost related | Yes | Yes, Aviapartner notes the airport has put as much price to CI (see Section 4) |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Yes | Usage related | Yes | Yes, Aviapartner notes the airport has put as much price to CI (see Section 4) Hannover ground aviation service: No |

Leipzig-Halle | Yes | Cost related | Yes | Yes, AUC noted there is insufficient information about CI |

Köln-Bonn | Yes | Based on aircraft type | Yes | Yes, Aviapartner notes the airport has put as much price to CI (see Section 4) |

Shannon | No | No charges |

Torino-Caselle | Yes | Based on number of passengers and ATMs | Yes | No |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | No | No charges |

Alicante | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Bilbao | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Gran Canaria | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Ibiza | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Lanzarote | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Malaga | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Sevilla | Yes | Movement basis | No |

Göteborg-Landvetter | Yes | Based on number of passengers and ATMs | No | Yes, according to the AUC there were problems with regard to the definition of Ground Power Unit and remote parking |

London-Gatwick | No | No charges |

London-Stansted | Yes | Parts are covered by aeronautical charges and other elements are cost related | Yes | Yes, according to ASIG at other airports where oil companies own the facilities, there is difficulty for other fuel suppliers to gain access to the final storage facility. |

Luton | Yes | No set formula at present | Yes | No |

Newcastle | Yes | Depending on usage | Yes | Yes |

Aberdeen | No | No charges |

Edinburgh | No | No charges |

Glasgow | No | No charges |

ANNEX H

Changes in social aspects and training - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Airport | Airport operator | AUC | Ground handler |

Change in social aspects? | Change in training standards/ education level? | Change in social aspects? | Change in training standards/ education level? | Change in social aspects? | Change in training standards/ education level? |

Paris-Orly | Yes | No | Cariane: No | Cariane: No |

Marseille-Provence | No | No | Difficult to evaluate | No |

Bâle-Mulhouse | Swissport: Yes, very restrictive salary increases | Swissport: Yes, training reduced to minimum |

Bordeaux-Mérignac | Yes, Strikes | Yes |

Strasbourg-Entzheim | No | No | Aviapartner: Yes, frozen salaries | Avipartner: No |

Berlin-Schönefeld | Yes | Yes |

Berlin-Tegel | N/a | N/a |

Hahn | No | No |

Dusseldorf | Yes, more flexible working time, lower wages | No | Yes | Yes | Aviapartner: Yes, gain in productivity | Aviapartner: No |

Hannover-Langenhagen | Aviapartner: Yes, gain in productivity Hannover Aviation Ground Service: Yes | Aviapartner: No Hannover Aviation Ground Service: No |

Leipzig-Halle | Yes, new labour contract | No | Yes | No | PortGround: Yes, new labour contract | PortGround: No |

Köln-Bonn | Yes, fewer full time jobs, lower entrance salary | No | No | No | Aviapartner: Yes, gain in productivity | Aviapartner: No |

Shannon | No | Yes, more input by airport authority in terms of audit/review of training |

Torino-Caselle | Sagat: Yes, increase of temporary and part-time contracts, decrease in salaries | Sagat: No |

Porto-Sà Carneiro | No comment | Yes, more training | PGA: Unkonwn | PGA: Unkonwn |

Alicante |

Bilbao | Iberia: No | Iberia: No |

Gran Canaria |

Ibiza | Ineuropa: Yes, improved | Ineuropa: Yes, improved |

Lanzarote | Nordic: N/A | Nordic: N/A |

Göteborg-Landvetter | Yes, more staff on temporary contracts | Yes, due to external rules and regulations |

London-Gatwick | No evidence | No evidence | No | No |

London-Stansted | None | Yes, incorrect use of equipment | ASIG: No | ASIG: Yes, airport company showing greater focus and actively encouraging operators to work with them |

Luton | Yes, movement of labour | Yes, continuity of standards |

Newcastle | No | No | Servisair: No | Servisair: Yes, better |

Aberdeen | Yes, high employee turnover rate | Yes, improved due to joint training initiatives on the ramp | Servisair: Yes, lower salaries to compete in market | Servisair: Yes, market requirements |

Bristol | Yes, job security |

Edinburgh | Yes, more temporary employee contracts | Yes, more structured training and manuals | Yes | Yes | Aviance: No Servisair: Yes, ability to attract calibre of staff required diminished against inability to pay appriate salaries | Aviance: Yes, more demands of hasher training from airlines Servisair: Yes, NVQs to attract employees against competitive market – more multi-functional training to reduce cost |

Glasgow | Yes, better | Airline Services: No Aviance: No Servisair: Yes, salaries kept low in order to compete in market Execair: No | Airline Services: No Aviance: Yes, setting up of a training department Servisair: Yes, more multi-functional training Execair: Nol |

ANNEX I

Negative impact of Directive according to unions/work councils – (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Lower salaries. | Insufficient conditions for the take over of staff in German law. |

Deteriorating work and security conditions for workers and customers. | No participation of work councils in AUC to get information from first hand (not from the workers) and to come up for social items. |

Lower quality levels. | No social aspects in the tender process. |

More safety and security issues; also as a result of higher turnover of employees due to lower salaries. | Increase in activity on the ramp can lead to congestion and thus longer working hours for employees (this will become worse with more handlers). |

Deteriorating working conditions: more pressure on staff due to increases in productivity (e.g. the increase in workload / productivity is equivalent of 15% less salary in Germany). | With the contracts between handler and airlines becoming shorter, there is less job security as job contracts become shorter as well and increase of the prospective risk for losing a job; shift to more flexible contracts for employees. |

ANNEX J

Results of Directive - (Source: SH&E Limited, October 2002)

Positive results | Negative results |

Airport operator | More competition | Space problems: too many handlers in limited space |

More choice for handlers | Management of the apron more inflexible, resource allocation is more restricted |

Stimulated new economic impetus | Dominance in AUC by national carrier |

Better customer orientation |

Decrease of service level (not covered by the Directive) |

Cost-reducing pressures lead to lower prices | Dilution of profit and performance |

Quality programmes to ensure service levels | Obligation of airport operator to guarantee the running of operation restricts competition with third party handlers |

Formal procedures to be followed by handling companies have been beneficial in terms of safety and security | Tendencies toward uncontrolled market access, with no limitation, difficult to make a good evaluation of the suppliers |

Difficulties in case of separately ordered service parts to meet the logistic requirements |

Additional staff training and supervision needed |

Process to limit handlers is very stringent. |

Handlers have been disincentivised from making long-term investments or devising long-term strategies due to short-term airline contracts and commitments. |

Extra demand for access to airside has security and space implications as well as the allocation of scarce resources to satisfy all handlers. |

Additional administration and supervisory work load for managing body. |

Handlers are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs and sometimes these measures have an impact on service standards. |

Self-handling operators make use of infrastructure or resources that could have a greater utilisation from third party handlers. |

If several agents provide different services to same carrier (i.e. representation, passenger, baggage/ramp, etc.) a great deal of coordination is required to ensure acceptable standards |

Directive required airport operators to put a large amount of management resources into ensuring compliance without seeing any specific benefits. |

Airport Users’ Committee | Better handling products | Limited capacity at airport |

Lower prices | Some handlers have bought market shares and then failed to deliver either a fully healthy product or a viable alternative. |

Higher productivity |

More choice for handlers |

Less monopolistic behaviour |

Groundhandlers | Efficiency improvement programmes | Market rates driven down by competition |

Lower prices for airlines | Lower profitability for both airports and handlers |

More choices for airlines | Less attractive employment conditions |

More choices for employees | Not one single handler has economies of scale |

Opened access to closed markets for third party handlers, removed airport monopoly activities | Strong competition may endanger the quality of services and create safety and security problems |

Approached market conditions within Europe standard of services. | High expenditure for tender procedure |

Started a focus on the abuses in the industry | Additional expenditure for separation of accounts |

Groundhandlers are being respected and consulted on airport procedures | In some countries the national legislation protects only airports and staff, not the new entrants. |

Have a sense of security in the industry and therefore being a better employer. | Airlines are able to undercut third party handlers by at least the level of the access fee, which airport companies are unable to resolve on level playing field. |

Directive open to too much interpretation, leading to inconsistent application of the intended principles of the directive. |

Airport operators still required to maintain their profit margins and therefore to increase ancillary charges to compensate |

[1] www.ec.europa.eu/transport/air_portal/index_en.htm. Studju li sar minn SH&E International Air Transport Consultancy, Londra.

[2] I.e. l-immaniġġjar tal-bagalji, l-immaniġġjar fuq ir-rampa, l-immaniġġjar tal-fjuwil u ż-żejt, l-immaniġjar tal-merkanzija u tal-posta fir-rigward tal- handling fiżiku tal-merkanzija u tal-posta bejn it-terminal ta' l-ajru u l-inġenju ta' l-ajru.

[3] Deċiżjoni ta' l-ECJ tad-9 ta' Diċembru 2004, Każ C-460/02 Il-Kummissjoni v. Ir-Repubblika ta' l-Italja. Deċiżjoni ta' l-ECJ ta' l-14 ta' Lulju 2005, il-Kummissjoni v. Ir-Repubblika Federali tal-Ġermanja, Każ C-386/2003.

[4] L-istess japplika għall-Annessi E, F, G, H and I.

[5] ĠU C 279 tas-17.11.2006.

[6] Bratislava, Budapest, Larnaca, Ljubljana, Luqa-Malta, Paphos, Praga, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Varsavja, Krakovja and Katowice.

[7] Għal perspettiva sħiħa, l-għadd ta' trasportaturi bl-ajru tas- self-handling iddaħħlu wkoll.

[8] Każ C-363/01 Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen GmbH vs Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

[9] Ara nota 6 supra.

[10] Bl-eċċezzjoni ta' Ċipru.

[11] OJ L 272 of 25.10.1996, p. 36