The European Commission has released its aviation agenda for the year and indicates it will investigate the funding of airport security, prompting hopes that some of the burden could shift from airlines back to governments.
The Commission published its 2005 work programme last week and among the list of activities for the year is a pledge to review the rising cost of transport security. Airline groups have been pushing for such a study for several years, as airport security costs are invariably borne by airlines in Europe, unlike other forms of transport and unlike federally funded airport security measures in the USA.
"The 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC; the attack on the Limbourg tanker in 2002; and the train bombing in Madrid in 2004, show the need to enhance security measures for all modes of transport," the EC says.
Another potentially contentious bill proposed is the desire by the EC to steer Single European Sky (SES) implementation. Previously, air traffic management (ATM) equipment manufacturers had joined together to draw up an SES ATM Masterplan for Europe (SESAME). Critics argued that manufacturers were not objective. The EC says SES implementation contracts, worth around €200 million ($260 million) a year from 2007, require a transparent, robust and effective governance structure.
Other bills foreseen include extending the role of the European Aviation Safety Agency into flightcrew licensing and operational requirements; a mid-term review for transport policy in 2010; a review of defence procurement rules; a green paper on competition rules enforcement; the formal launch of the seventh framework research programme; and a study into the effect of air transport on climate change.
| Key European Commission aerospace activity for 2005 | |||
| DG | Area | Type | Date |
| TREN | Extension to EASA's competences | Proposal | Q2 |
| TREN/JLS | Transport security funding | Communication | Q4 |
| TREN | Structure and management of SESAME | Proposal | Q4 |
| TREN | Transport policy for 2010 | Mid-term review | TBA |
| MARKT | Defence procurement | White paper | October |
| COMP | Enforcement of competition rules | Green paper | Q4 |
| RTD/TREN* | Seventh framework (R&D) | Launch | April |
| ENV | Air transport emissions | Communication | July |
Abbreviations: DG Directorate General TREN Transport and Energy JLS Justice, Freedom and Security MARKT Internal Market RTD Research ENV Environment SESAME Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Masterplan for Europe
TBA to be advised *And others Source European Commission
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
