WRITTEN QUESTION No. 108/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Boeing and Airbus
Date: 1997-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: United States, aeronautical industry, aircraft, competition law, competitiveness, economic concentration, industrial development, industrial restructuring, technology park













EUR-Lex - 91997E0108 - EN






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91997E0108

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 108/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Boeing and Airbus  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0025 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0108/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (29 January 1997)Subject: Boeing and AirbusFollowing the takeover of Douglas by Boeing and other disturbing developments such as the crisis at Fokker, will the Commission take measures to defend the European aeronautics industry, particularly the Airbus group?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1997)The Commission agrees that a healthy and competitive aircraft industry is of vital importance for Europe. This is particularly true because aeronautics is a technology driver which produces spill-over benefits in many areas and employs 350 000 people directly and many more indirectly.The Commission's policy as regards the aircraft sector in Europe was outlined in the 1992 communication 'The European aircraft industry: First assessment and possible Community actions' ((COM(92) 164 final. )). Among the main objectives listed in the communication were the creation of a favourable framework for the development of the industry, ensuring a level playing field of competition in Europe and internationally, and maintaining a strong technological base.Also in 1992 was signed the agreement between the Community and the United States of America on trade in large civil aircraft. The main aim of the agreement was to establish what in 1992 was perceived as a level playing field for the development of our respective aircraft industries. Within the framework of this agreement the Commission meets the American authorities twice a year to consult, ensure correct functioning of the agreement, and monitor development in the large civil aircraft market.Of course current consolidation and restructuring efforts within the European aircraft industry can only help in strengthening the sector and in rendering it increasingly competitive on the world market. The initiative for such restructuring and change must come from industry itself. Nonetheless the Commission is striving to facilitate this process within the limits of its competence. In this respect the Commission holds regular meetings with representatives from industry and from the Parliament.Indeed in November 1996 the Commission and the Parliament jointly organised the forum on European aerospace industry which was attended by a number of members of Parliament as well as the president of the Commission. The event provided a high-level forum where all the issues related to the competitiveness of the European aerospace industry were discussed.Within the Commission, the 'new generation aircraft' research/industry task force is examining ways in which to improve the effectiveness of research and development actions which have an impact on the European aerospace industry.The Commission is currently examining the impact of the planned merger between Mc Donnell Douglas and Boeing on the conditions of competition in the Community according to the criteria and procedures laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 on the control of concentrations between undertakings ((OJ L 395, 30.12.1989; corrected version: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990. )).