Brussels, 25/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has decided to hold a meeting of the EU Aviation Security Regulatory Authority on 30 August to discuss the recent airport security threats in the United Kingdom. The European Commission had already scheduled a meeting to discuss aviation security issues on 6 and 7 September, but Stefaan de Rynck, a transport spokesperson for the Commission, explained that after the London events, it was decided that a preparatory meeting of EU25 experts would be held on Wednesday (see EUROPE 9248). He said the meeting would also exchange ideas and experience on air transport safety issues and the British authorities would de-brief their colleagues. Diplomatic sources suggest that the UK will be outlining its security expectations at the meeting.
On 29 August, another meeting on air transport security will be held, this time among representatives of private air travel. A draft reform of existing air security legislation was unveiled by the Commission in September 2005, aiming to harmonise the rules governing aviation security and introduce new measures on the security of domestic flights. In first reading, the European Parliament voted to back the Commission's idea of having armed security guards on certain commercial flights. The draft measures will be examined by the Transport Council on 12 October.