Serious issue of flight safety -- unlawful use of Civil Aviation Authority funds from Eurocontrol to service debt
8.4.2015
Question for written answer E-005542-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Notis Marias (ECR)
Under Decision 1090 by the Deputy Minister for Finance on servicing of the public debt (Government Gazette II/2050 of 29.07.2014), the Public Debt Management Agency has obtained access to the following bank accounts: (1) ‘Proceeds from transfer of future revenue of the Greek State from Eurocontrol’ and (2) ‘Airspace fees remitted by Eurocontrol’, i.e. to funds which are paid to Eurocontrol by aircraft using the Athens FIR and then channelled to the Civil Aviation Authority for targeted actions, such as investments to maintain air traffic control systems and thus safeguard the maximum possible level of flight safety.
The above ministerial decision harbours extremely serious risks in terms of the safety of airline passengers and staff.
It is a blatant infringement of EC law, as Community funds are being used in an unlawful and distorting manner at the demand of the Troika to reduce the public debt, which is disgraceful.
In view of the above, will the Commission say:
- 1.Is it aware of the above ministerial decision and what negative repercussions does it believe it will have on flight safety levels?
- 2.What measures does it intend to take in order to have the above unlawful ministerial decision revoked and ensure that EC law is applied?