WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Civil Aviation Conference, IATA, International Civil Aviation Organisation, air safety, air transport, competence of the Member States, data protection, impact of information technology

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/133

(2000/C 219 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2267/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports

What actions has the Commission taken or will be taking to ensure that all International Airports within
Member States(cid:146) territory are secure from the threat of the so-called (cid:145)Millennium Bug(cid:146)?

(2000/C 219 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2303/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports

(13 December 1999)

Is the Commission satisfied that the safety and security of EU travellers is protected at international
airports from the threat of what is referred to as the (cid:145)Millennium Bug(cid:146)?

(2000/C 219 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2304/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports

Will the Commission publish any Commission reports on the threat to equipment at international airports
caused by what is referred to as the (cid:145)Millennium Bug(cid:146)?

(2000/C 219 E/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/99

by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports

How many international airports with the EU have complied with the adjustments required to avoid
damage, danger or delay to passengers and freight caused by what is referred to as the (cid:145)Millennium Bug(cid:146)?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-2267/99, E-2303/99, E-2304/99 and E-2305/99
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The role of the Commission in the domain of air transport and airports, as is the case with other sectors
where the year 2000 (Y2K) issue is relevant, is essentially to facilitate the dissemination of information. In
the primary
accordance with existing national competence and with the principle of subsidiarity,
responsibility for addressing the Y2K problem as regards airports falls upon the airport authorities and
the national civil aviation authorities. Safety regulations are internationally agreed on a worldwide basis
and the Member States have the responsibility to ensure compliance with rules and regulations applicable
to airports. A number of international organisations have their own role to play in accordance with their
own responsibilities.

C 219 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

The International civil aviation organisation (ICAO) has developed Y2K assessment criteria covering air
traffic services, airports and aircraft operators, and invited its Member States to perform a critical Y2K
compliance assessment and provide appropriate information on the compliance status of their respective
services. This information is made available to authorised officials, and ICAO has presented a publicly
available global Y2K readiness status report.

Eurocontrol is focusing particularly on the development of contingency plans. In co-operation with ICAO,
Eurocontrol is setting up a European regional Y2K co-ordination unit for collection and dissemination of
information to the countries of the region, with a view to permitting corrective actions of operational
contingency measures to overcome potential disruptions of air traffic systems. This unit will be located in
the central flow management unit of Eurocontrol in Brussels, where it will operate on 31 December 1999
and 1 January 2000.

Complementing the ICAO initiative, the European civil aviation conference (ECAC) has examined the legal
aspects of eventual courses of action considered in connection with Y2K readiness, and regarding
limitations of operations in cases where there is no information on compliance status, or there is reason
to suspect non compliance. A common approach has been developed for addressing states where
information provided is considered inadequate, with a view to resolving outstanding issues. The situation
will be examined in the very near future and, if necessary, appropriate action will be considered.

The International air transport association (IATA), with which the Airports council international (ACI) has
focusing on raising
cooperated, has developed the Y2K industry project established in June 1998,
awareness, strengthening industry co-operation, collecting Y2K readiness information, and promoting
contingency planning. Through IATA the airlines have implemented a programme that includes air traffic
systems and airports, aircraft, engine and avionics manufacturers.

On the basis of the information and reports received, for example the reports from the representatives of
international governmental and industry organisations at a Workshop organised by the Commission on
29-30 September 1999, the Commission considers that the aviation industry is well advanced in its
preparations to combat potential problems in European countries, in accordance with plans aiming at
achieving compliance and providing for contingencies that may arise. Such plans cover immediate safety
concerns satisfactorily. However the possibility of capacity constraints in the days after the roll over cannot
be excluded.

More specifically as regards international airports in the Member States, the information available indicates
that thorough and comprehensive programmes to identify and remedy potential Y2K problems have been
implemented or are scheduled for completion in time for the rollover.

It may also be mentioned that, as requested by the European Council in Cologne, a high level working
party on the millennium date change has been established by the Commission in July 1999. It has been
holding monthly meetings and will continue during the remainder of this year to address various aspects
of the Y2K problem at Community level.

(2000/C 219 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Dangers arising from the use of medical equipment made from PVC with a large DEHP content

Following the withdrawal of toys manufactured from PVC, Greenpeace has now drawn attention to the
very frequent use in hospitals of medical equipment such as flasks containing blood, serum or nutrients for
parenteral administration, made from the same substance with a DEHP content 800 times the admissible
limit.