European transport ministers have reached a compromise with the European Parliament over military use of airspace. The controversial issue had been delaying the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES).
Ministers have now dropped their opposition to the plan after agreeing that the SESproposal will not define the mechanism through which airspace will be shared. Instead the new draft obliges European Union countries to improve civil-military co-operation and harmonise air traffic management between their respective armed forces.
The European Council and parliament had also previously disagreed on the definition of airspace blocks and the role of Eurocontrol. However, several countries have now agreed to allow their airspace to be reconfigured irrespective of national borders. The Council has now accepted parliament's proposal that these blocks should be defined by Eurocontrol.
Finally, a mechanism for resolving disputes between member states has been agreed, with the European Commission now acting as a mediator through the SES Committee. An industry consultation body is to be established to draw technical expertise from all stakeholders.
The bill's sponsor, Marieke Sanders-ten Holte, says members of the parliament were surprised that a compromise has been reached.
Source: Flight International