On Monday, 12 October, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean presented her proposal for a revision of the ‘SES2+’ initiative (see EUROPE 11448/17) on implementing the Single European Sky before the European Parliament committee responsible for the subject matter.
In response to this proposal, which was unveiled at the end of September (see EUROPE 12565/1), many MEPs expressed their expectations and questions with regard to the social and environmental aspects of the initiative.
Swedish Socialist Johan Danielsson pointed out the potential negative effects of this new reform—and, in particular, of “vertical unbundling” (see EUROPE 12565/1)—on the workers responsible for air traffic management (ATM).
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) believes that this reform is likely to result in the creation of a “low-cost and low-level of service” air traffic management infrastructure, which will adversely affect employees’ working conditions.
The commissioner defended herself by promising that the regulation provided for consultation mechanisms, including a group of experts responsible for providing the European Commission with recommendations regarding the human and social aspects of the reform. In addition, she stressed that a specific roadmap was being developed.
MEPs also questioned Mrs Vălean about her promise that the new SES2+ will help “cut aviation emissions by up to 10%”.
Does this figure take into account the rebound effect and aviation emissions other than CO2? Will it be subsequently revised to include, for example, all of the parameters or another objective? Are you going to implement, as in other sectors, the ‘polluter pays’ principle and introduce a kerosene tax? These were the questions asked by Greens/EFA coordinator Karima Delli (France).
The commissioner affirmed that this proposal was only a first step towards reducing emissions in the sector and that more specific measures should follow, such as the proposal on sustainable alternative fuels for aviation expected in February 2021.
Urgent reform
The political group coordinators have all welcomed this long-awaited initiative. They recalled that, as far back as 2014, the European Parliament had adopted its position on the previous draft revision, which was still blocked in the EU Council.
Rapporteur on the previous ‘SES2+’ proposal, Marian Marinescu (EPP, Romania) listed a series of objectives identified 20 years ago but yet to be achieved.
He notably mentioned: defining optimum air traffic control zones in terms of operational efficiency and not on the basis of national borders; opening up the provision of related services; monitoring charges paid by airlines; and managing traffic flows in a more efficient, transparent, and equitable manner.
An agreement in the EU Council by the end of the year
Several MEPs questioned Mrs Vălean on her expectations regarding progress on the EU Council side—the main culprit responsible for the failure of the previous reform.
Mr Danielsson expressed particular concern: “Although the question of Gibraltar airport (see EUROPE 11334/7) is no longer on the table due to Brexit, this will not prevent other national issues from emerging”.
The commissioner indicated that she had presented her initiative to the competent ministers last Thursday (see EUROPE 12575/35) and obtained the support of those who had wished to speak on that occasion. She also affirmed that the German Presidency of the Council is hoping for a political agreement in principle from the Member States by the end of 2020. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)