WRITTEN QUESTION E-0504/03 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE)and Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Alcohol tests for airline pilots.
Date: 2003-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air safety, alcoholism, civil aviation, crew, transport regulations

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/139

(2003/C 242 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0504/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE)
and Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Subject: Alcohol tests for airline pilots

The statements by the head of the Air Accident and Incident Investigation Department of the Spanish
Union of Airline Pilots (SEPLA) to the effect that the alcohol tests carried out on both national and foreign
(cid:1) but particularly foreign (cid:1) pilots are totally inadequate have understandably sparked considerable public
alarm.

Having become accustomed to the recent marked impact of breath tests for car drivers, many people have
discussed the need to step up alcohol tests for airline pilots.

Can the Commission say whether there is currently any specific Community legislation on alcohol tests for
airline pilots, and whether it considers that such tests should be increased for those responsible for piloting
planes in any part of the European Union’s airspace?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

There is no specific Community legislation on alcohol tests in the civil aviation sector.

However, there are extremely stringent rules regulating alcohol and drug consumption in this sector at
international level (ICAO rules (cid:1) International Civil Aviation Organisation) and at European level (JAR-
OPS of the JAA (cid:1) Joint Aviation Authorities).

The Commission has presented Parliament and the Council with a proposal amending Regulation 3922/
91 (1) which transposes the JAR-OPS provisions into Community law. The proposal is now before the
Council with a view to adoption of a common position.

The Commission is currently considering whether other legislative measures on alcohol levels in workers
in the passenger transport sector could provide added value at Community level.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 of 16 December 1991 on the harmonisation of technical requirements and

administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation (cid:1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991.

(2003/C 242 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0505/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Assessment of the situation regarding the Galileo project

(21 February 2003)

Following the enthusiastic reaction when the Galileo project was given the green light, there is now
concern across the European Union as to whether a genuinely European project such as Galileo will ever
see the light of day, and whether the European Union as a whole will be able to benefit from its numerous
advantages.

The animosity aroused by the programme’s adoption is well known and a degree of suspicion is
unavoidable, bearing in mind that tactical ploys are still continuing with the aim of preventing Galileo
from becoming a reality.

Can the Commission say whether it is in a position to carry out an assessment of the stage reached
regarding the implementation of the Galileo project, and where it sees the greatest difficulties affecting its
implementation?