Security checks on air crews

25.5.2016

Question for written answer E-004208-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ole Christensen (S&D)

In order to obtain an airport identification card in the European Economic Area (EEA) or a Community crew identification card, there has to be an approved background check in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/1998. That regulation has been transposed into Norwegian law too. For background checks, persons resident in EEA countries over the previous five years must produce a criminal records extract. According to the attached correspondence between the Norwegian supervisory authorities and the trade union Parat, however, persons from third countries are exempted because obtaining their criminal record extracts is too resource-intensive.

In the Commission's view, is it appropriate, warranted (from a security perspective) and in line with EU legislation and the principle of non-discrimination that air crews from third countries should have access to the same sections of airports as air crews from EEA countries even if it is not possible to carry out the same thorough background checks on both categories of crew?

Does the Commission share concern that this practice might even be regarded as an attack on European air transport that is European-crewed?

What does the Commission intend doing so as to ensure that all persons working on aircraft with an air operator's certificate in Europe have been thoroughly security-screened?