Brussels, 04/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The vast majority of member states have failed to respect the deadline of 4 December for establishing new functional airspace blocks (FABs) - crucial pillars for achieving the Single European Sky. The bad pupil governments are therefore shortly due to receive a letter of formal notice from European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas. A new legislative package will also be tabled for next spring.
€5 billion lost per year. By dividing the airlines in Europe more efficiently according to the nine FABS, aircraft would no longer zig-zag from one national airspace to another. Fuel consumption would thus be reduced - in turn creating fewer carbon emissions and unnecessary costs. Indeed it is estimated that the inefficiency of the current system could cost €5 billion.
Infringements in February. Member states have far from shown their resolve to accomplish their part of the work to establish the FABs - which were due to be operational for 4 December 2012. Kallas stated that the FABs are “the cornerstone of the Single European Sky infrastructure and a critical deadline has been missed. There is no other option but to strongly enforce EU law.” “We will take every possible action to make the Single European Sky a reality. (…) At a time of economic crisis we cannot afford to live with the status quo.” In the next few weeks letters of formal notice will be sent to nearly all member states. The Commission is not able to certify which member states will be concerned but the vast majority are apparently at fault. Even Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not spared. Although these four countries are more advanced in accomplishing their FABs, it is likely that they have not done enough in comparison with the requirements established by the European legislation.
Protectionism. Numerous warnings have nevertheless been given by the European Commission and Parliament over the course of the years. The Commission blames the current delay on the EU27's protectionism, particularly on a disproportionate amount of attention given to institutional issues rather than identifying and actioning operational improvements.
Legislative package. The Commission plans to bring forward a new legislative package on the Single European Sky in spring 2013 in order to accelerate reforms and ensure better implementation of this sky at a time when delays have accumulated. (MD/transl.fl)