Alan George/BRUSSELS
The European Union and the US Government have discussed the establishment of a 'structured dialogue' aimed at defusing aviation tensions between the two sides. The talks, between EC Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock and US Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, took place in Brussels last week.
Slater went to Brussels in a bid to avert a European ban on any further hushkitted aircraft after 1 April, and afterwards claimed to have won assurances that European transport ministers would delay a decision at a meeting on 29 March.
Washington says the new regulation is a veiled attempt to favour Europe's aviation industry over that of the US. Congress has threatened to retaliate by banning British Airways and Air France Concorde flights to the USA. EC officials insist the ban is solely an anti-noise measure.
Hushkitting is one of several issues over which Brussels and Washington have been at loggerheads. Both would welcome regular consultation, possibly in the form of six-monthly meetings, as a step to reduce tensions.
New differences could emerge over an EC policy paper on air transport and the environment due to be issued at the end of next month following lengthy consultation with interested parties. One of the main ideas under consideration is thought to be an environment charge which could take the form of a navigation levy to be collected via Eurocontrol.
EC officials are thought to be leaning away from a fuel tax, which had been mooted as a measure to safeguard the environment.
The policy document is likely to reaffirm the EC's view of ICAO as the key body in setting technical and other standards on the environment, and to urge a more active EC role at the aviation body. However, Brussels says that if ICAO cannot agree tougher standards it will act unilaterally.
Source: Flight International
