CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / BRUSSELS

Continent-wide airline regulation also on the agenda as aerospace group identifies deficiencies in all sectors

The European Union's (EU) Advisory Group on Aerospace has called for free trade with the USA and continent-wide airline regulation in its first report. The Strategic Aerospace Review for the 21st Century (STAR 21), presented to European Commission president Romano Prodi last week, says that Europe's "current political and regulatory framework is insufficient to bridge the gap between Europe's ambitions and the capacity to deliver the required results".

The advisory group, which was established last year to identify deficiencies in the European aerospace sector and recommend improvements, comprises seven industry chairmen, five European Commissioners, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and two members of the European Parliament.

"Security, defence and related research require the greatest efforts," says STAR 21, advocating a European armaments policy, harmonisation of military requirements and better planning of procurement budgets and policies. A major improvement is required in the structure of research and technology in all sectors, it says.

STAR 21 says that in the global market "Europe's goal should be to secure a level playing field" and that this "will require pushing for further market opening, especially by seeking changes to 'Buy America' practices." The report adds that the EU should also seek wider agreements to simplify export controls on products with US components.

In civil aviation, the report recommends that the EU, not national governments, should regulate civil aviation and represent Europe. It "must take on the role of policy maker and regulator in all areas of civil aviation, speaking with one voice on behalf of Europe in all relevant international organisations and specifically in ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organisation]," ultimately becoming a member of these bodies, together with its member states. It also urges that a master plan for a Single European Sky "should be set up without delay".

In the space sector, the report calls for a consolidated space policy with adequate funding, adding that the Galileo satellite navigation system and the Global Monitoring of Environment and Security satellite projects should be set up as quickly as possible.

Source: Flight International