Brussels, 28/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - The results of the public consultation on the new European aviation sector policy, published by the European Commission on Monday 27 July, reveal that the sector wants improvement of air traffic to be made the top priority for strengthening the competitiveness of the European industry.
In second position among the priority areas came modernisation of infrastructure, in particular airports. Thereafter followed the need to harmonise national rules, improve market access and promote digital innovation. Access to financing came last out of the eleven priority areas proposed in the questionnaire.
Among the semi-open issues, respondents highlighted the need to improve the efficiency of airlines, create innovative employment and service models, put in place more transparent pricing policies and, lastly, improve access to airports, particularly by rail.
Updating air traffic management lies at the heart of the creation of the single European sky, with, for instance, the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) project which last week entered its operational phase (see EUROPE 11367).
Aviation plays a prominent role in achieving the goals set by the Juncker Commission. In its work programme for 2015, the Commission plans to present the European aviation sector strategy before the end of the year. This strategy will cover many areas, such as civilian drones (see EUROPE 11367).
The single European sky project remains deadlocked in the Council of the EU, which has found it impossible to deliver a solution to the Gibraltar issue (see EUROPE 11334 and 11210). (Pascal Hansens)