Brussels, 10/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has given a tough response this time to tackle the delays affecting the introduction of nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs), which are essential to the completion of the European Single Sky. On Thursday 10 July, it sent formal notices to 18 member states, calling on them to give up their state borders for air traffic and to implement the commitments that they have made (these should have been implemented in December 2012).
Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta (BLUEMED), Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary (FABCE), Bulgaria, Romania (DANUBE FAB), Lithuania, Poland (BALTIC FAB), Portugal, and Spain (SW FAB), Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK/FAB) now find themselves in the Commission's firing line (following an initial round of warnings in April made to FABEC countries).
These countries have, certainly, introduced procedures for setting up the FABs but to varying degrees and no genuine blocks have been set up. European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas regretted that “right now these common airspaces exist only on paper; they are formally established but not yet functional” and emphasised that “we have to finally overcome national borders in the European airspace. FABs are a necessary, vital component of the Single European Sky”.
In the warning letter, the commissioner calls on these 18 member states to “step up their ambitions” and optimise FAB implementation and air navigation services. These member states will now have two months to provide valid explanations to the Commission justifying their delays or provide details about the action they intend to take. On the basis of their responses, the Commission will decide whether a reasoned opinion is required, the next stage of the infringement procedure. Currently, only one FAB, between Sweden and Denmark, responds to European Commission requirements.
The delays in FAB implementation lead to lost time, lost money and excess CO2 emissions because aircraft continue to zigzag between the different national airspace areas. (MD)