WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1042/97 by Ulf HOLM to the Commission. Restricting air traffic
Date: 1997-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, HOLM
Subjects: Eurocontrol, air safety, air space, air traffic, air traffic control, consumer, transport capacity













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91997E1042

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1042/97 by Ulf HOLM to the Commission. Restricting air traffic  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0222 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-1042/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (12 March 1997)Subject: Restricting air trafficAccording to figures provided by the airlines' association, the AEA, air traffic within Europe is growing at a considerable rate (13%). The scope for more flights is very much restricted for lack of airspace. Too many flights also increase the risk of accidents and endanger passenger safety.What steps does the Commission intend to take to restrict further growth in air traffic?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)The Commission certainly agrees that increases in aviation activity on the scale that is now anticipated within Europe's limited airspace capacity could raise safety concerns. However, the Commission considers that the Honourable Member's suggestion of restricting air traffic growth is not desirable since it would conflict with the interests of consumers and retard the development of an integrated and properly balanced transport system. In any case, it is not realistically possible.Instead, the Commission is actively promoting ways of improving air traffic management in order to make better use of the airspace that is available. These changes are essential to relieve the growing pressures on capacity and to ensure that the current high levels of safety are maintained.The Commission considers that, to achieve these objectives Eurocontrol should be able to respond effectively to the increasing need for greater integration and interoperability. The Commission has therefore proposed that the organisation should be transformed into a European air traffic management regulatory body, with the Community becoming a member because of the many overlaps between the organisation's activities and those of the Community.As explained in detail in the 1996 White Paper 'freeing Europe's Skies' ((COM(96) 57. )) the 'new Eurocontrol' should be responsible for regulating the provision of air traffic services across Europe by means of mandatory targets and standards, instead of remaining a mere co-ordinating body, or a 'club of service providers'. Indeed, in the Commission's view, the reformed Eurocontrol should be given responsibility for regulating all aspects of airspace management so that the entire European airspace can be used as a single continuum, with consequent reductions in congestion and delays that would result in lower costs for airlines and passengers and in environmental benefits.There are the steps that the Commission believes are necessary in order to ensure the most efficient use of Europe's limited airspace, while ensuring that safety standards remain at least as high as they are at present.The Commission notes that the Honourable Member designated his question as a priority question which means that under Parliamentary rules, it requires an immediate reply. The Commission notes that the Honourable Member tabled the same question in February (QH 86/97) and the Commission was ready to answer it on the 18 February 1997. However, the question was declared void under Parliament's rules, because of the absence of the Honourable Member from the Chamber.