WRITTEN QUESTION E-3063/01 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Air crash on 8 October 2001 and lack of ground radar systems at the old Linate airport in Milan which should have closed but is still in operation.
Date: 2001-11-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Lombardy, air traffic, airport, civil aviation, transport accident, transport safety

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/85

A total decentralisation of the air conditioning would constitute enormous investments, increased running
costs and a significantly lower coefficient of efficiency.

As the two above mentioned alternative provisions are practically impossible for existing buildings, the
Commission has made sure to provide good protection of the existing installations:

(cid:28) to protect the fresh air intake (usually situated in the roof area) by preventing the access to it for

unauthorised persons;

(cid:28) to prevent access to the climatisation control centres for unauthorised persons;

(cid:28) to avoid as far as possible the recycling of the exhaust air into the fresh air supply of the offices;

(cid:28) to provide for an organisational procedure that allows to switch off rapidly the complete ventilation

system in an alert situation.

The Honourable Members are advised to address their question on measures taken by other Institutions to
those Institutions.

The possibility of air circulation systems being used for the purpose of exposing people to harmful
biological and chemical agents in buildings or transport means and structures cannot be excluded and has
indeed been considered in discussions that the Commission has held with Member States’ authorities
aiming at sharing information and experience in facing up to attacks in which such agents are involved.
There is acute awareness of the hazards and realisation of the shortcomings and of the difficulties that
would arise from the introduction of technical modifications as alternatives or replacements to existing
systems, as well as large consensus on the need to increase alertness at public buildings and strengthen and
multiply controls on and emergency procedures for existing systems so as to minimise the risks from
attacks.

Member States have already taken steps to ensure that safety and security checks and vigilance are
increased and procedures established and adhered to for dealing with suspicious objects, circumstances or
occurrences at buildings and structures in which the public has access. The Commission, as part of its
action on the state of alertness and prevention capacity for emergencies linked to bioterrorism, will keep
relevant arrangements under review.

Moreover, it is to be noted that members of the public who have access to workplaces of entreprises or
buildings of public services can benefit from the protection afforded to workers pursuant to Council
directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum health and safety requirements for
the workplaces (1). This directive makes specific provision for the safety and quality of air supplied to
workplaces.

(1) OJ L 393, 30.12.1989.

(2002/C 147 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3063/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 November 2001)

Subject: Air crash on 8 October 2001 and lack of ground radar systems at the old Linate airport in Milan

which should have closed but is still in operation

Can the Commission confirm that the cause of the collision during thick fog between an SAS MD87
1.
airliner taking off for Copenhagen and a small private Cessna on the runway of the old Linate airport
(Aeroporto Internazionale Enrico Forlanini), in which all those on board the two aircraft and four airport
workers were killed, was that the ground radar system had been out of service for some time?

2. Were airlines operating out of Linate generally aware of this situation? If not, why not?

C 147 E/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

In the Commission’s view, how could a situation have arisen in which Linate airport was able to go

3.
on operating for some time without ground radar?

4.
Are airports
permanently? If so, why?

in EU Member States authorised to be without ground radar

temporarily or

5. What is now the definitive closure date for Linate airport, which is located too near the south-east
outskirts of Milan and should have disappeared several years ago after the opening of the new Malpensa
airport, which is located at a safe distance from Milan to the north-west on the River Ticino?

Once Malpensa had been connected up to the railway network, albeit after some delay, what

6.
prevented the rapid transfer of all air traffic from Linate to Malpensa?

7.
Are the safety shortcomings at Linate partly attributable to the fact that no new investments were
made in anticipation of the closure, whereas despite the plans the airport has remained open to provide
extra capacity to cope with the increase in air traffic?

8. What measures are being taken in relation to Linate airport to end the uncertainty surrounding the
closure timetable and allow the investment required to guarantee safety in the meantime?

9. What lessons has the Commission learnt from this accident as regards the safety of European airports
in general?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The accident to which the Honourable Member refers is currently under investigation in accordance with
Council Directive 94/56/EC of 21 November 1994 establishing the fundamental principles governing the
investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents (1). An independent investigation should establish the
facts, analyse them, determine the causes of the accident and formulate recommendations to improve the
level of safety. Pending this investigation, the Commission does not feel authorised to make any statements
on this tragedy. However, it undertakes to make the necessary proposals if the investigation reveals the
need for Community action in this domain. Currently there is no Community legislation concerning
airport installations, which are governed by the legislation of the Member State in which the airport is
located.

With regard to the possible closure of Linate and the transfer of services to Malpensa, the constitution of
airport systems and the distribution of traffic among these airports are principally within the competence
of the Member States, in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on
access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes (2). The Commission’s role is confined to
ensuring that the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality are complied with in the event of
any transfer.

lead to the
The Commission’s proposals concerning the creation of the single European sky (3) will
adoption of rules imposing the use of particular types of equipment,
the
coordinated and swift introduction of new safety systems in air traffic control (cid:28) e.g. radio navigation by
satellite.

in particular to support

(1) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994.
(2) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.
(3) COM(2001) 564 final.