European Commission outlines airspace closure relief measures
Wednesday April 28, 2010
The European Commission yesterday outlined a comprehensive package of measures to provide relief to the air transport industry in the aftermath of the volcanic ash-related airspace closures earlier this month and committed to "coordinated European action" to reconsider response procedures for future volcanic eruptions.
The EC said in statement that revisions to "existing international procedures in case of volcanic activity" are "urgently needed." It said it will set up an expert working group on the issue and develop a new EU-wide methodology and approach for assessing the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash. It added that it will devise "risk management planning" in relation to the closure and reopening of airspace and "after exchanges with other regions" will submit a proposal to the ICAO General Assembly in September on when/how airspace should be closed.
Meanwhile, EC officials indicated that European airlines will receive relief from governments. "The European Union has been hit by an unprecedented crisis with the closure of airspace," EC VP Responsible for Transport Siim Kallas said. "Now as we are getting back to normal our focus can shift to relief measures for the industry. This is about practical measures to provide relief to the air transport sector so they can weather this crisis."
Kallas said preliminary estimates by the EC put losses related to the airspace closures at between €1.5 billion ($2 billion) and €2.5 billion for the industry, including airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and other aviation-related businesses such as tour operators. To alleviate the financial burden, the EC is proposing that member states rapidly implement measures to grant loans and loan guarantees at market conditions, and even provide state aid "for net losses directly linked to the exceptional occurrences."
It added that "in case of airlines, [states] will have to take into account if relevant costs have been sustained or not on the basis of applicable EU law on air passenger rights, notably as regards assistance and rerouting." But it emphasized that temporary state measures should be based on uniform criteria established at an EU level so as not to distort the market unduly or result in overcompensation.
As regards a Single European Sky, Kallas said the EC will prepare "all needed" measures to accelerate full implementation: "In particular, the appointment of a European network manager before the end of 2010 is crucial. If the network management function had been designated prior to the crisis, the situation would have been quite different."
Both IATA and the Assn. of European Airlines "applauded" the EC's relief package proposal. AEA called upon EU member states to endorse the measures by May 4. SAS President and CEO Mats Jansoon said, "The Commission's guidelines provide a sound and clear foundation. . .It is now important that these guidelines are applied in a consistent manner in all of Europe so that there is not a distortion of competition between Europe's airlines."
by Cathy Buyck
ATWOnline
Wednesday April 28, 2010
The European Commission yesterday outlined a comprehensive package of measures to provide relief to the air transport industry in the aftermath of the volcanic ash-related airspace closures earlier this month and committed to "coordinated European action" to reconsider response procedures for future volcanic eruptions.
The EC said in statement that revisions to "existing international procedures in case of volcanic activity" are "urgently needed." It said it will set up an expert working group on the issue and develop a new EU-wide methodology and approach for assessing the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash. It added that it will devise "risk management planning" in relation to the closure and reopening of airspace and "after exchanges with other regions" will submit a proposal to the ICAO General Assembly in September on when/how airspace should be closed.
Meanwhile, EC officials indicated that European airlines will receive relief from governments. "The European Union has been hit by an unprecedented crisis with the closure of airspace," EC VP Responsible for Transport Siim Kallas said. "Now as we are getting back to normal our focus can shift to relief measures for the industry. This is about practical measures to provide relief to the air transport sector so they can weather this crisis."
Kallas said preliminary estimates by the EC put losses related to the airspace closures at between €1.5 billion ($2 billion) and €2.5 billion for the industry, including airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and other aviation-related businesses such as tour operators. To alleviate the financial burden, the EC is proposing that member states rapidly implement measures to grant loans and loan guarantees at market conditions, and even provide state aid "for net losses directly linked to the exceptional occurrences."
It added that "in case of airlines, [states] will have to take into account if relevant costs have been sustained or not on the basis of applicable EU law on air passenger rights, notably as regards assistance and rerouting." But it emphasized that temporary state measures should be based on uniform criteria established at an EU level so as not to distort the market unduly or result in overcompensation.
As regards a Single European Sky, Kallas said the EC will prepare "all needed" measures to accelerate full implementation: "In particular, the appointment of a European network manager before the end of 2010 is crucial. If the network management function had been designated prior to the crisis, the situation would have been quite different."
Both IATA and the Assn. of European Airlines "applauded" the EC's relief package proposal. AEA called upon EU member states to endorse the measures by May 4. SAS President and CEO Mats Jansoon said, "The Commission's guidelines provide a sound and clear foundation. . .It is now important that these guidelines are applied in a consistent manner in all of Europe so that there is not a distortion of competition between Europe's airlines."
by Cathy Buyck
ATWOnline