Commission reveals focus policy areas for next year
The European Commission plans to apply to join the International Civil Aviation Organisation next month as part of its takeover of full aviation negotiating rights on behalf of all European Union countries. The Commission has also unveiled a list of policy areas it expects to focus on next year.
The European Parliament adopted in March a resolution calling for the EC to become a member of ICAO, and Michel Ayral, air transport director at the EC's directorate general of transport and energy (DG-TREN), says he expects the formal application to be launched next month. Speaking at the European Air Law Association's annual meeting in Brussels last week, Ayral said that as the EC takes over areas of air transport policy it is essential that it is able to "protect Europe's interests at an international level".
Ayral cites recent disputes such as data protection and the hushkit row as examples of ICAO debates in which the EC should represent all EU members. "The Community has responsibility vis-à-vis parliament laws over air transport, so how can we fulfil this responsibility without an ICAO seat?" asks Ayral.
The EC currently only has observer status in the organisation and individual member states have to argue on its behalf. Ayral says the process could be a "hot topic" and full membership could take several years, as amendments to the Chicago Convention require ratification by a two-thirds majority of ICAO member states, although "transition representation" is expected to be agreed.
Ayral also said that the EC expects to launch new legislation next year covering areas such as computer reservation systems and ground handling reform. The body is also going to seek ways to apply the controversial passenger compensation rules to railways to address imbalances between transport modes, he adds.
Disabled passenger right, legislation is also expected next year.
Source: Flight International
