European Parliament resolution on the economic an employment situation in the air transport sector and in the industrial and related service sectors
Date: 2001-11-15
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: State aid, aeronautical industry, air transport, economic consequence, economic policy, labour market, support policy, terrorism, transport insurance, transport safety

13.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 140 E/581

14. Economic and employment situation in the air transport sector and in the

industrial and related services sectors

Thursday 15 November 2001

B5-0687, 0688, 0702, 0703 and 0705/2001

European Parliament resolution on the economic and employment situation in the air transport
sector and in the industrial and related service sectors

The European Parliament,

A. whereas the recent terrorist attacks have had a serious impact on consumer confidence in air travel
and, as a result, on the economic condition of the airline industry and related service sectors world-
wide,

B.

C.

recognising that, even before 11 September 2001, a number of companies had severe structural prob-
lems due to either worldwide economic recession, overcapacity or strategic mismanagement,

recognising that worldwide passenger traffic volume has decreased due to the terrorist attacks of
11 September 2001, particularly on transatlantic services and Middle East services, and recognising
also that the overwhelming majority of airlines have had to cancel flights in order to counteract the
rapid decrease in passenger numbers,

D.

concerned about the fact that the US government is distorting international air traffic through massive
subsidies to US air carriers,

E.

F.

concerned that airlines will cancel or postpone their orders for new aircraft, thus putting at risk jobs
in Europe’s aerospace industry,

having regard to the fact that over 180 000 jobs in the aviation sector worldwide have already been
lost since 11 September 2001 and massive losses are also being incurred in the European aviation
sector,

G.

concerned about the dramatic decline in tourist traffic, especially from the USA and the Far East to
Europe, with its far-reaching consequences for the whole tourism industry,

H.

recognising that there is a requirement for further consolidation and restructuring of the European
aviation industry within the framework of an intermodal approach,

1.
Is of the opinion that airlines have to be substantially compensated for the closure of US airspace
during the first four days and the closure of US airports for a further three days after the terrorist attacks;

2.
Urges the Member States to consider all necessary measures available to help the aviation industry
find a solution regarding withdrawn insurance cover, as the industry itself cannot be blamed for the risk of
war and terrorism; demands that national governments assume responsibility for additional security costs;

3.
Urges the Commission to work on proposals which would make it possible for the European avi-
ation industry to withstand the massive help given by the US government to US airlines and would ensure
that the European aviation industry receives equal treatment, as far as possible, in accordance with EU law,
and also asks the Commission to investigate the consistency of the USD 15 billion aid package with
international trade rules;

C 140 E/582

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.6.2002

Thursday 15 November 2001

4.
Urges the Commission to contribute to the consolidation of the airline sector in Europe, using the
Community competition rules on a case-by-case basis, so that a new structure can be built up for Euro-
pean airlines;

Asks the Commission to watch developments on the labour market in the air industry very closely so

5.
that, if necessary, it can present effective proposals for the safeguarding or creation of jobs;

6.
Supports the social partners’ efforts to avoid more job losses and welcomes their willingness to work
together in trying to stabilise the industry at this time; also supports the European social partners’ proposal
for creating an ad hoc social group to identify and promote measures to alleviate the social consequences
of the current crisis;

Urges the Commission, the Member States and the international community to work on correspond-

7.
ing proposals to restore public confidence in both the security and the safety of the aviation sector;

8.

Urges the EU and the Member States to back public campaigns to support the tourism industry;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of

9.
the Member States and of the candidate countries.

15. Accident in the Gotthard Tunnel

B5-0710, 0718, 0724, 0725 and 0734/2001

European Parliament resolution on the Gotthard Tunnel disaster

The European Parliament,

9 having regard to the tragic accident in the Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland on 24 October 2001,

A. deeply shocked by the disaster in the Gotthard tunnel, hitherto regarded as the safest tunnel in Europe,

which has made new measures to improve safety in tunnels an even more urgent priority,

B. whereas the accident brought to light legal and social irregularities which could pose a threat to road

safety,

C. having regard to the need to reinforce safety conditions for road transport and to promote rail and

piggy-back transport,

D.

aware of the concerns of the inhabitants of the transalpine region as regards road safety and the
environmental impact of road transport,

E. whereas the Gotthard tunnel provided road mobility for persons and goods between Italy and the rest
of Europe, and whereas in 1999 alone it carried five times more heavy goods vehicles than the other
three main Swiss routes put together,

Sends its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pays tribute to the courage of

1.
the rescue workers;

2.
Calls for an early conclusion to the in-depth inquiry that is already under way, so that as much light
as possible is shed on the conditions surrounding the accident, and the responsibility for them; calls for
those responsible to be severely punished;

3.
Reaffirms the necessity to make safety the top priority in transport policy, and calls on the Commis-
sion, the Council and the Member States, as well as on Switzerland, to take action to achieve this, learning
everything they can from the Gotthard and Mont Blanc tragedies;