WRITTEN QUESTION E-1883/99 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission. Urban communities in the proximity of airports.
Date: 1999-10-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, airport, noise

C 303 E/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

(2000/C 303 E/012)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/99

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: EU regulation on the harmonisation of technical requirements in aviation

In the light of the failure of some Member States to implement the Joint Aviation Authority(cid:146)s common
standard, which allows holders of Airline Transport Pilot Licences to continue to fly up to the age of 65,
does not the Commission consider that, in the spirit of the principle of the free movement of persons, this
standard should be adopted as part of EC Regulation 3922/91 (1) which seeks to harmonise standards in
aviation?

Could the Commission also outline how talks on the proposed creation of a European Air Safety Authority
to replace the Joint Aviation Authority, are progressing and when such a body is likely to be inaugurated?

(1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991, p. 4.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2000)

As regards the implementation of the Joint aviation authorities suggestions on age limits for pilots as
common standard, the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that it is currently working on a
proposal to harmonise standards and requirements for flight crew licensing throughout the Community.

However, it cannot specify for the time being whether this proposal will be adopted and if so, whether as
part of Council Regulation (EEC) 3922/91 of 16 December 1991 on the harmonisation of technical
requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation (1) or as an independent proposal.

Regarding the establishment of the European Aviation Safety Authority, the Council has mandated the
Commission on 16 July 1998 to start negotiations for the creation of
this authority. While the
Commission has achieved a draft Convention that meets with all the elements of the mandate, it appears
that
to accommodate,
especially as regards constitutional constraints.

the creation of such an organisation with supra-national powers is difficult

(1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991.

(2000/C 303 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1883/99

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Urban communities in the proximity of airports

Via Mrs Bjerregaard(cid:146)s response to the written question E-3254/97 (1) on 19 November 1997,
the
Commission undertook to draw up a framework proposal on noise pollution for the start of 1999. This
proposal still does not formally exist today.

Could the Commission report upon whether or not measures to combat noise pollution at airports might
be introduced into this framework proposal, with the aim of confronting and overcoming the problem of
coexistence and quality of life faced by those urban communities nearby?

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/17

Does the Commission intend to introduce a directive with the aim of reducing noise pollution in the
proximity of airports, as requested by Parliament in its Resolution A4-0183/97 (2) on the Commission
Green Paper, (cid:145)Noise pollution control policy for the future(cid:146) of 10 June 1997?

(1) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 71.
(2) OJ C 200, 30.6.1997, p. 28.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2000)

As part of the Commission overall environmental policy, the forthcoming framework directive on the
assessment and reduction of environmental noise exposure aims at introducing common noise indicators
for the perception of noise, establishing common noise exposure assessment methods and allowing for the
assessment of the current levels of noise exposure for urbanised areas by means of noise mapping. In this
context, this framework directive will establish the general basis for an improvement in the level of noise
exposure. It is, thus, not specific for air transport.

However, the workprogramme of the Commission for 2000, which was adopted on 9 February 2000,
includes a specific measure targeting noise around airports. The Commission intends to present later this
year to the Parliament and the Council a proposal for a directive on the establishment of a common noise
index, a common method of computing noise and minimal requirements for monitoring noise around
airports. This initiative should contribute to a reduction of noise in the areas surrounding airports.

(2000/C 303 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1903/99

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Esprit Programme (1994-1998)

Will the Commission state what agencies (public or private),
institutions, companies, cooperatives and
individuals have been allocated funding (specifying whether payments have already been made) under the
Esprit programme (1994-1998) within the fourth framework programme in the field of research (budget
(cid:129) ECU 2 057 million, equal to LIT 3 982 billion) and how much each of them has been granted?

Has it checked how the amounts have actually been used and whether the proposed measures have been
successfully implemented?

(2000/C 303 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2097/99

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: The Esprit programme

Over the last few years, a number of programmes and Community initiatives have been adopted and
implemented in the field of research and technology.

However, the only programme specifically devoted to the development of research and technology in the
industrial sector is the Esprit programme.