Strasbourg, 05/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - French Communist, Sylviane Ainardi, (GUE/NGL) organised a press conference in Strasbourg with union representatives from the air traffic control sector and workers who work in the air travel industry. This follows the European Parliament's adoption of the Fava and Sanders reports on the single European sky (see EUROPE 4 September p 15). Air traffic controller representatives have again expressed their worries about Commission proposals and particularly those allowing for a certain amount of liberalisation of the air navigation services. A representative stated that, "What we are afraid of concerning the Commission proposals, is private management. When management is done in a privatised way, one seeks to reduce costs to boost profits without worrying about safety". Ms Ainardi backed this up declaring that, "I am ready to follow the Commission but when this is based exclusively on economic considerations, safety will be gnawed back". Despite the strikes, the air traffic controllers have not yet gained the support of the European Parliament.
European Parliament Plenary Session