Brussels, 03/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on radio France Inter on Sunday 2 January, French Environment Minister Nathalie Kosciuszko-Morizet recommended European action so that European legislation on air passengers' rights is implemented uniformly. She highlighted travellers' rights to information and assistance, areas where “we can do much better”. She also distanced herself from sanctions announced by the UK government against airlines and airport operators which did not come up to scratch.
“In this area, what we need above all is greater coordination within the EU. When a flight is cancelled, responsibility lies with the airline to inform passengers, provide assistance and find alternative travel arrangements and, if necessary, accommodation,” Kosciuszko-Morizet said when asked if the French government intended to impose sanctions on airlines which had not assumed their responsibilities. “This responsibility was not assumed equally by all, and especially not by the low-cost companies. This is an area where surely we can work in an integrated way,” she added. On Sunday 26 December, with the arrival of a new wave of bad weather which began on Christmas eve and once again left air traffic in central Europe grounded, the UK government announced radical reform to the way airports are managed. Transport Minister Peter Hammond said that the operators of London Heathrow Airport had seriously under-estimated how much glycol, used to de-ice aircraft, would be needed and he announced that the government was determined to reform the way airports are regulated. He was particularly critical of the ability of civil aviation authorities to hold airport operators accountable. With the same controversy over responsibility for glycol stocks raging in France, Kosciuszko-Morizet was more cautious. She announced that discussions would be held with all the players in the sector on 13 January. She stated, too, that an investigation was taking place into what happened with regard to de-icing. The results were expected by 10 January. In Belgium, too, the very limited capacity of de-icing teams (according to information to passengers on 24 December, the Zaventem airport was able to de-ice only three planes per hour) caused substantial delays, of up to 15 hours. The European Commission is expected to discuss the exact reasons for the disruption this winter of air traffic at a meeting with European airport managers. The date for this meeting has still to be set. (A.By./transl.rt)