JUSTIN WASTNAGE / BRUSSELS
Nations failing to co-operate on transnational control zones warned on non-compliance
Governments that refuse to co-operate on transnational air traffic control zones have been warned that the European Commission will take them to the European court to ensure the Single European Sky (SES) air traffic control concept is implemented.
A compromise over sovereignty was reached in mid-December between transport ministers and the European Parliament to allow the harmonising legislation to progress (Flight International, 16-22 December). National governments have committed to co-operate on the designation of "functional blocks of airspace" to replace lower airspace areas largely defined by national borders. Some nations will try to retain control over all air traffic within their frontiers, even if it does not constitute the most effective use of airspace, says Ben van Houtte, head of the unit for air traffic management at the EC. "France is likely to define its 'hexagon' as a functional block, but we will have to ask them whether it meets all the conditions laid down in the regulations for easing traffic flow," he says.
The north of France would probably be better controlled in the same sector as Belgium, Luxembourg and south-east UK, for example, he says.
The EC was not given the power to order functional blocks, in the face of resistance from some states to the original proposal. It will ask member states to review their blocks through the SES Committee, which comprises all interested parties, including Eurocontrol and neighbouring states, which can suggest alternative blocks. "It is a fairly soft way of increasing pressure on states. We cannot impose a solution on governments, but if they do not revise inefficient blocks, we could take them to the European Court of Justice," says van Houtte.
Source: Flight International
