Brussels, 22/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European commissioner for transport, Siim Kallas, supports regional air transport and in his opening comments at the Routes Europe conference in Talinn on 20 May stated that “regional airlines have an important role to play by providing essential travel connections, including a significant commercial segment, particularly between secondary airports and remote areas”. The commissioner has particular concerns about regions on the periphery of Europe and explained that Europe's regions link these areas up with more central areas, which from an economic point of view, is vital.
Single European Sky. The commissioner again emphasised the need to complete the European Single Sky and speed up its implementation, saying “for regional airlines, this gives them access to more centrally positioned flight corridors, so that they are not exclusively limited to remote regions”. Nonetheless, member states have not demonstrated much enthusiasm in this connection. Fewer than half of the operational aviation airspace slots are in place. It is possible that infringement procedures will be launched against member states that have not made any effort on this by the end of the year.
Efficiency. In his presentation illustrating the benefits of regional transport, the Kallas highlighted the fact that this mode of transport is often the most efficient means of travel, “more so than road or rail, which can be constrained by distances and topography”. His comments certainly stirred up the Transport&Environnement Association, which pointed out that aviation generated ten times as many CO2 emissions as the other kinds of transport. (MD/transl.fl)