Brussels, 03/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - Some member states are reported to be about to undertake the surveillance of unidentified aircraft entering European airspace.
When asked by MEP Urmas Paet (ALDE, Estonia) about the issue of aircraft, whose transponder has been switched off, entering European airspace, European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said on Tuesday 3 February that national measures were being put in place. For the moment, it would be a matter of fighter planes with their transponders switched on flying close to the unidentified aircraft, and so enabling air traffic controllers to pass air-traffic information to civil planes. This, Bulc said in her written response to Paet's question, would seek to avoid collisions. The Commission is awaiting the results of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) analysis of the risk of collisions before deciding on the measures that need to be taken. Paet said it is “crucial” to supplement aviation rules in order to address this new situation. (MD)