Brussels, 24/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 24 January, the European Commission adopted an “airport package” consisting of three key initiatives: a proposal for a directive on airport charges, a communication on airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe and a report on the implementation of the groundhandling directive. The package focuses on the role of airports in the further development and competitiveness of the European internal aviation market, and will mark the future of airport regulation in Europe by ensuring regulatory convergence between member states (see also EUROPE 9350).
Presenting the package to the press, Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, in charge of transport, explained that the main aim of these proposals is to put pressure on member states to make the airport capacity needed available, although the management of airports and spatial planning remains under national competence. “We cannot take the place of member states”, he added. On the subject of airport charges, the proposal for a directive aims to set a mechanism in place that allows greater transparency on price and cost. It brings in rules on transparency, non-discrimination, and compulsory consultation. There must also be true dialogue between airports and companies and an independent regulator for settling disputes, stressed Jacques Barrot. With this proposal for a directive, he said, there is a move towards more moderate charges through a system of transparency and regulation that should prove effective. He went on to stress that this text is the result of consultation between the airport authorities and users that previously experienced a period of great strain. Regarding groundhandling services, which were liberalised by a directive in 1997, the report should in time allow their competitiveness to be further enhanced. (hb)