WRITTEN QUESTION P-1168/00 by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission. Monitoring the process of liberalisation of air transport.
Date: 2000-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: civil aviation, common transport policy, consumer protection, dominant position, liberalisation of the market

C 53 E/90

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

foodstuffs and of

Among the measures the Community took after Chernobyl, as early as 1987 it adopted Council Regulation
(Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive
contamination of
feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of
radiological emergency (2), as amended by Council Regulation (Euratom) No 2218/89 of 18 July 1989 (3)
and supplemented by regulations (4). Article 2 of Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 provides that in the
event of the Commission receiving (cid:129) in particular according to either the Community arrangements for
the early exchange of information established pursuant to Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 Decem-
ber 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological
emergency (2), or under the International Atomic Energy Agency Convention of 26 September 1986 on
information on accidents or on any other case of
early notification of a nuclear accident (cid:129) official
radiological emergency, substantiating that the maximum permissible levels in the Annex to Regulation
(Euratom) No 3954/87 are likely to be reached or have been reached,
immediately adopt a
regulation rendering those maximum permissible levels applicable. This regulation will be of limited
duration (no more than three months). Within that time the Commission will present to the Council a
for a regulation confirming the action taken or if necessary adapting the levels to the
proposal
requirements of the accident, taking economic and social factors into account where appropriate.

it will

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.
(2) OJ L 371, 30.12.1987.
(3) OJ L 211, 27.7.1989.
(4) Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 944/89 of 12 April 1989 laying down maximum permitted levels of
radioactive contamination in minor foodstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological
emergency (cid:129) OJ L 101, 13.4.1989. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2219/89 of 18 July 1989 on the special
conditions for exporting foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological
emergency (cid:129) OJ L 211, 27.7.1989. Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 770/90 of 29 March 1990 laying down
maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other
case of radiological emergency (cid:129) OJ L 83, 30.3.1990.

(2001/C 53 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1168/00

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Subject: Monitoring the process of liberalisation of air transport

The main objective of the liberalisation of air transport undertaken on the Community(cid:146)s initiative was to
improve access to that means of transport for EU citizens.

It was believed that liberalisation would lead to a marked increase in competition among air transport
operators, resulting in:

(cid:129) more airlines operating on each route (more choice for users),

(cid:129) greater frequency (offering more possibilities for choosing flights at convenient times),

(cid:129) generalised reduction in prices and improvement in the quality of service.

After a promising initial phase in which it appeared that these objectives might be achieved, distortions
have gradually become apparent which are compromising the desired results.

The process of alliances between operators, through mergers, code-sharing or other commercial agree-
ments, is gradually giving rise to more serious situations of dominant position than were seen previously,
and the consequences are highly detrimental to the interests of passengers.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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One example is the Lisbon-Brussels route:

(cid:129) the route is now operated exclusively by the Qualiflyer group (TAP and Sabena),

(cid:129) night flights are being ended from the start of the summer period,

(cid:129) fares have risen steeply and conditions for bookings and advance payments have been tightened,

(cid:129) only one counter is available (Qualiflyer), leading to a substantial increase in congestion and a lack of

personal service.

In this light, will the Commission monitor developments in relation to the consequences of liberalisation in
detail, and will it intervene in cases such as that described above to preserve the principles on which the
liberalisation of air transport in the EU was based?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2000)

The Commission is continuously monitoring the air transport sector to ensure that the liberalisation
in force since 1 January 1993, are properly
measures constituting the third and final
In its
implemented and that the competition rules provided for in the EC Treaty are fully applied.
communication of 20 May 1999 entitled (cid:145)The European airline industry: from single market to world-
wide challenges(cid:146) (1), it presented the results of ten years of liberalisation of civil aviation. While these may
appear to be positive overall, the communication mentions the disappointing fare increases and stresses
that there are still large differences in fares per kilometre across the Community.

(cid:145)air package(cid:146),

With regard to the Lisbon-Brussels route, the Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern that
the route is now operated exclusively by the Qualiflyer group.
It is taking a detailed look at the
compatibility of the Qualiflyer group agreements with the provisions of Article 81 (ex Article 85) of the
EC Treaty.

(1) COM(1999) 182 final.

(2001/C 53 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1175/00

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: Use of hired cars from third countries

In its reply to question H-1190/98 (1) the Commission stated its intention (cid:145)to settle this matter during the
first half of this year(cid:146) (i.e. 1999).

Was it successful?

(1) Debates of the European Parliament No 4-531 (January 1999).

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2000)

The Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Member that Article 1(2) of Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1662/1999 of 28 July 1999 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for
the implementation of the Community Customs Code (1) which came into force on 5 August 1999,
provided a solution to the problem raised by Question H-1190/98 during the January 1999 part-session
question time (2).