Brussels, 17/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas has put his threats into practice by launching an infringements proceeding against France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for delays involving implementation of the Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB). Other member states are also in his sights. This is despite the fact that the governments themselves had accepted this key principle in the Single European Sky, which consists of abolishing borders in European airspace.
No more zig-zagging. The FABs are essential in this respect because the merging of national airspace into nine European blocks should help to enhance air traffic control and, ultimately, savings in fuel and CO2 emissions. In practice, flights will no longer have to zig-zag between the different national airspaces that exist and will be able to follow a more direct trajectory from one airport to another.
Kallas warning. FABs should have been in place by 4 December 2012, which is far from being the case, much to the disappointment of Kallas, who was swift to brandish the threat of imposing sanctions. This is now a done deal because on Wednesday 16 April, he sent warning letters to FABEC member states over their lack of progress to set up this block. France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have two months to provide the European Commission with explanations. If the Commission deems them unsatisfactory, it could send them a reasoned opinion, the final stage before taking matters to the European Court of Justice.
Six other blocks targeted. A number of other blocks have not made much progress either and could find themselves subject to similar measures over the next few months. This involves countries that were supposed to set up the Danube, Blue Med, FABCE, SW Portugal- Spain, United Kingdom-Ireland and the Baltic blocks. So far, only Sweden and Denmark have made sufficient efforts of cooperation to get their block up and running.
Coming to the end of his mandate, Kallas has finally lost patience with the estimated losses of €5 billion a year due to inefficient air traffic management. He regretted that common spaces only existed on paper and that although they are formally established they are not yet functional. He urged member states to “step up their ambitions and push forward the implementation of the Single Sky”. (MD)