Brussels, 10/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Weary of expressing member states' apathy regarding the setting in place of Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB), which are essential for the creation of a European Single Sky, MEPs have turned to the Commission, urging it to do something. The parliamentary committee responsible for transport and tourism (TRAN) adopted, on Tuesday 10 July, the own-initiative report by Jacqueline Foster (ECR, UK), which sets out what should be done in this stalemate situation. In response to these calls, the Commission pledges to take action to speed up matters.
The rapporteur explains that essentially what truly interests MEPs is to send a powerful message to member states on the subject of the European Single Sky. She states it is now time for them to undo their purse strings as this has gone on for too long and is not acceptable either for parliamentarians or for their electorate, or for the companies involved. A prerequisite of European Single Sky is the reorganisation of airspace by setting “functional airspace blocks” in place. A start has been made on just two (Ireland/United Kingdom and Denmark/Sweden) of the nine blocks to be operational by the end of the year. To this end, it is now solely up to the EU27 to act, stressed Eva Lichtenberger (Greens/EFA, Austria), who pointed out that the deadlock is at the level of member states as there are some that do not wish to or that cannot agree, especially France and Germany. During discussion prior to voting, the Commission representative pledged his institution's support for the pressing calls made by MEPs, saying (our translation): “The Commission is sending reminders to the member states that are not in line, underlining that they must comply with their legal obligations by early December. In December, the Commission may have to take legal action against member states and, in that event, we shall issue a report next year.” (MD/transl.jl)