The European Commission (EC) has decided not to revise at least for now its directive covering access to Europe's ground handling market.
The EC has been promising to revise the directive, originally introduced in 1996, since 2001. It was to be included in a package of updated regulatory measures relating to airports that is due to be published at the end of this year. The package will still include a document on airport charges (see story page 36) but will only now include a report on the effects of the 1996 ground handling directive. The EC has indicated the issue will be revisited next year.
The head of one ground handler claims the postponement is driven by a north-south divide, which has seen some Mediterranean airports lagging behind northern Europe when it comes to ground handling liberalisation.
European airline bodies are criticising the postponement. The Association of European Airlines warns: "The barriers to entry for would-be competitors in ground handling markets have remained in place at many airports, leading to excessive costs and inadequate service standards for airlines faced with a take-it-or-leave-it choice."
The International Air Carrier Association calls for a lifting of the restriction on ground handling suppliers and for airports to be involved in selecting suppliers. Ground handlers have been more lukewarm to the need for further change, and the European Transport Workers Federation welcomed the postponement. Airports Council International Europe says it wants to see proper enforcement of existing rules before any further legislative changes. It says in airports where the directive has been effective there have been worrying falls in service quality and salary levels.
Source: Airline Business
