Brussels, 23/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Single European Sky (SES) and passenger rights were debated at the European Parliament on 22 October. The reports that were discussed will be submitted to a parliamentary vote in the evening of Tuesday 23 October. Jacqueline Foster MEP (ECR, United Kingdom) calls in a draft report for the member states to show their resolve to set up the SES within the time allowed. Georges Bach MEP (EPP, Luxembourg) calls for a common base of passenger rights in all forms of transport. The Commission promises guarantees before the end of the year for cases where airlines go bankrupt.
Bach presented his draft report to his fellow MEPs. He says that the rules already in force on the protection of passengers should be better applied, and particularly argues for “a common legal base which would be valid for all four modes of transport” (Ed: rail, air, bus, maritime). In his opinion this would contribute to intermodality more. He is therefore waiting for the Commission to “work on the guidelines” which should guarantee a level of flexibility and proportionality for all modes of transport. Numerous MEPs particularly supported the importance of passengers being able to be duly informed - especially by information offices and qualified staff. The Bach report also considers that the level of customer protection is insufficient in cases where airlines go bankrupt. Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, who also attended the debate, said that it seems the sector is self-regulating properly at this stage. However, he confirmed that the Commission would present “new solutions but not especially of a legislative nature” before the end of the year.
With regard to the SES, Foster clearly said that the member states should stop procrastinating on its implementation as 2012 is the “pivot year”. She said she was tired of hearing arguments that “say why we can't progress when we are all ready to find solutions”. Her report calls for the 27 member states to keep to the timetable that has been set, and for the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) to be fully deployed. The key challenge is to divide up the European sky, which is happening with the setting up of airspace blocks, and which must be established by December. She is waiting for the Commission to show “courage” and not to hesitate to “impose sanctions for countries whose legislation is not in conformity”. Joao Ferreira MEP (GUE, Portugal), however, promoted “respect for the sovereignty of each member state on its national air space” (our translation throughout).
Piebalgs concluded by recalling that the underlying principles of the legislation on the SES remain valid, and that it was not therefore necessary to recreate them but rather to clarify and simplify the legislation. He said that Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas intended to present proposals to strengthen and complete this legislation in the spring, and also to take legal measures against member states who do not respect them. (MD/transl.fl)