Although the auditors from the European Court of Auditors recognise that progress has been made with air traffic management, they indicate in a report published on Thursday 30 November that the objectives have not been fully met and in this regard, formulate several recommendations.
The report immediately points out that the objectives in the Single European Sky programme launched by the European Union in 2004 were legitimate and constitute an important aspect of the European Union single market but are subject to fragmentation. The auditors therefore consider that the European Single Sky programme was totally justified.
After having consulted and audited the different air-traffic management stakeholders in Europe and the British, Spanish, French, Hungarian and Swedish authorities, the Court of Auditors point out that significant progress has been achieved, particularly with regard to the transparency and efficiency of air navigation service providers. It also highlights the fact that the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR) helped to coordinate more research and development (R&D) and put forward solutions for improving air traffic management at a European Union level.
Nonetheless, the auditors consider that not all the objectives have been accomplished. The number of delays has increased since 2013, the unit rates paid by passengers have not declined as much as the European Commission expected and attempts to achieve SESAR’s goals have been postponed. Auditors consider that these failings are due to a lack of technological and political coordination.
In an effort to rectify the dysfunctions identified, the Court of Auditors is proposing several recommendations to the European Commission. These include a redefinition of the high-level objectives, pretends to ensure total independence of the National supervisory authorities in relation to and navigation service providers and to prioritise, by way of SESAR, the purpose of European Union funding.
One source at the Court of Auditors explained to EUROPE that the auditors had been able to Exchange ideas with the European Commission and that the latter’s ideas are consistent with the recommendations in the report. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)