WRITTEN QUESTION E-3759/00 by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission. Commission's position on IATA tariff consultations.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air freight rate, air transport, carriage of goods, competition law, derogation from EU law, passenger tariff

C 187 E/40

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

A large number of maritime regions in the south of the Community are eligible under Objective 1.
Through this Objective and the Interreg Community Initiative, which gives cooperation among maritime
regions and important role, the Community conducts an active policy to help those regions. In other fields,
such as the policy on short-distance transport, the PACT programme and policy on sea ports, including its
position on the trans-European transport networks, the Commission also takes into consideration the
needs of these regions, which have a vital role to play in promoting the more balanced development of the
Community.

(2001/C 187 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3759/00

by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Commission(cid:146)s position on IATA tariff consultations

in its

The system operated by IATA for tariff consultations (on passenger fares and freight shipment rates) is an
essential element
transport worldwide to operate on
a coordinated and integrated basis, with long-recognised benefits to the consumer. This system has always
been supported by both the Member States and the Commission; the latter has taken the view that the
practices concerned are eligible for classification as group exemptions to the application of Article 81(1) of
the EC Treaty, pursuant to the provisions of Article 81(3).

inter-line arrangements, enabling air

Despite the above, under Regulation (EEC) 1617/93 as amended by Regulation (EEC) 1523/96 (1) and
Regulation (EEC) 1083/1999 (2), this group exemption is now limited to consultations on passenger fares
alone.
In 1997 IATA deposited a request with the Commission for an individual exemption for
consultations on freight shipment rates, but it has to date received no reply.

What are the Commission(cid:146)s intentions concerning renewal of the group exemption for consultations on
passenger fares? Do these intentions reflect the positions of the industry, consumers and Member States?

What are the reasons for the Commission(cid:146)s failure to date to rule on the request for an individual
exemption for consultations on freight shipment rates, given that it was deposited more than three years
ago? What are the Commission(cid:146)s intentions in this respect?

(1) OJ L 190, 31.7.1996, p. 11.
(2) OJ L 131, 27.5.1999, p. 27.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2001)

The system of the International air transport associations (IATA) tariff consultations was set up after World
War Two at a time when competition in air transport was very limited. The air transport market is now
very different, with liberalisation in the Community, the United States and elsewhere leading to effective
competition on many routes.

The Commission is currently considering whether to exempt the IATA passenger tariff consultations under
Article 81(3) for a further period and if so under what conditions. DG Competition will be publishing
a consultation paper within the next few weeks seeking the views of industry, consumers and other
interested parties on the usefulness of the IATA passenger tariff consultations in a competitive air transport
market and on possible alternatives to them.

The Commission confirms that IATA applied for an individual exemption for the cargo tariff consultations
in 1997 and that they are therefore protected from fines for these arrangements. When the Commission
withdrew the block exemption for the cargo consultations in 1996 the reasons given were that the
consultations were no longer necessary to enable interlining and that they resulted in high tariffs being set
for an individual
at

the expense of users. The Commission is currently examining IATA(cid:146)s request

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/41

exemption. This is a complex case and fact-finding has taken some time. The facts presented so far have
not been sufficient for the Commission to grant an individual exemption. A final decision on this matter
will be taken in the first half of 2001.

(2001/C 187 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3761/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: European urban renewal and the (cid:145)Bologna 2(cid:146) case (Calderara di Reno)

In the commune of Calderara di Reno (Bologna), Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), there is a huge housing
estate, known in local news and gossip as (cid:145)Bologna 2(cid:146), which is in unremitting structural and social decline.
Bologna 2 and the surrounding area are in the hands of criminal gangs who run prostitution rackets, push
drugs, traffic in arms, and the like.

Residents and members of the business community are fighting to reclaim the area at constant risk of their
lives. Action by the police and the courts is failing to produce lasting results.

Because it is a small commune of about 10 000 inhabitants, Calderara di Reno does not have sufficient
resources to regenerate the area in question on its own.

Can the Commission say:

(cid:129) what steps are being taken at European level to revitalise decayed urban areas, especially those in
medium-sized towns and cities and/or small communes, possibly working in partnership, as the case
may be;

(cid:129) are there any Community measures to finance urban renewal plans and activities aimed at unifying

the social fabric of the most decayed urban neighbourhoods and areas?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 2001)

The European Union can give financial assistance to urban areas facing socio-economic problems through
the URBAN II Community initiative programme. Areas undergoing restructuring are also eligible under
Objective 2 of the Structural Funds.

As regards URBAN II, on 28 April 2000 the European Commission adopted the communication laying
down guidelines for this initiative concerning economic and social regeneration of cities and of
neighbourhoods in crisis in order to promote sustainable urban development (1). The total contribution
from the European Regional Development Fund over the 2000-2006 programming period for this new
initiative will be € 700 million.

The urban areas to be covered under this initiative should have a population of at least 20 000, however,
this figure can be lowered to 10 000 in duly substantiated cases. In this case, areas will have to meet at
least three of the characteristic conditions of precariousness mentioned in item II-11 of the communication
such as, for example, a high rate of long-term unemployment, crime or delinquency or a particularly
rundown environment.

The Commission points out that under the terms of the provisions laid down in the communication, it is
the responsibility of the Member State concerned to submit proposals for programmes under the URBAN
initiative.

As the commune of Calderara di Reno not itself located in an area covered by Objective 2, it is not entitled
to receive appropriations available under this objective.

(1) OJ C 141, 19.5.2000.