Western Sahara and the safety of EU airlines and passengers

8.2.2018

Question for written answer E-000822-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Bodil Valero (Verts/ALE) , Keith Taylor (Verts/ALE) , Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL) , Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL) , Renata Briano (S&D) , António Marinho e Pinto (ALDE) , Jytte Guteland (S&D) , Marita Ulvskog (S&D) , Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD) , Norbert Neuser (S&D) , Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) , Josu Juaristi Abaunz (GUE/NGL) , Ana Gomes (S&D)

There are three airlines reported to be operating international flights between the EU and Western Sahara: Binter Canarias and Royal Air Maroc, connecting Dakhla and Laayoune airports with Gran Canaria airport, and Transavia, which has been flying from Paris to Dakhla since October 2017.

When the aforementioned airlines are within the airspace of Western Sahara, or grounded on Western Saharan territory, which EC law and international framework on aviation security and safety are applicable, including in the event of accidents or incidents?