WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888/03 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. International air transport.
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, common transport policy, economic concentration, fight against unemployment, short-term economic prospects, transport company

C 33 E/184

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

The Sofia airport reconstruction project is being undertaken in the context of the overall development of
the Bulgarian economy and is in line with the Union’s objectives to contribute to the improvement of
transport
the evidence available to the
Commission, the project complies with relevant Community rules.

infrastructures in the candidate countries. On the basis of

With regard to environmental concerns, the Commission has insisted on correct procedures being followed
by the Bulgarian authorities (e.g. condition on EIA in the ISPA financing memorandum). Moreover, the
Commission has urged the Bulgarian authorities
information on all
environmental aspects of the project, including measures taken to implement the recommendations of
the EIA and Ministry of Environment decisions. The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are
represented on the ISPA monitoring committee, which meets twice a year in Bulgaria to review progress
on assisted projects. The Commission also engages in regular formal or informal discussions and
correspondence with the NGOs.

to provide full and regular

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1267/1999 of 21 June 1999 establishing an Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-

accession, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2004/C 33 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888/03

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 June 2003)

Subject: International air transport

A report in an Athens newspaper claims that Commissioner de Palacio has expressed the view that there
should be only 5 or 6 major air carriers in the EU, whereas there are currently 14 national airlines.

Is Mrs de Palacio’s view a personal one or is it Commission policy? In the latter case, what provisions have
been made for dealing with unemployment in the air transport sector?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

The Commission does not in any way plan to set the number of air carriers in the EU. This number
depends on the market, which has been fully opened up since 1997. The figure cited by the Honourable
Member refers to the view expressed by most of the experts in the industry, one which the Vice-President
responsible for transport and energy and the entire Commission have repeated on several occasions. Many
analysts agree that there is not room in the European market for some fifteen intercontinental airlines and
that the industry needs consolidation, especially during a crisis like the one currently facing the industry.
Since the attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001, the air transport sector has been going through an
unprecedented crisis brought about by a number of destabilising factors (fears of further terrorist attacks,
in a climate of general
conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS))
economic downturn. The concentration of players in this sector to achieve a critical size and boost their
efficiency and economic viability in the market constitutes a natural trend, especially since many European
carriers are too small compared with their international competitors.

However, this trend is not irreconcilable with increased activity, which liberalisation has made possible, on
the part of European regional air carriers or with the emergence of new carriers (like the low-cost airlines),
which lead to the creation of jobs. A number of new companies have appeared over the last few years and
are obtaining excellent economic results.

For its part, the Commission intends to leave the companies to develop in the framework of the
competitive European market. As Guardian of the Treaties, it will exercise vigilance and take action in
respect of any unlawful State aid which might favour some companies to the detriment of others.