MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future Aviation Package
4.11.2015 - (2015/2933(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Roberts Zīle, Jacqueline Foster on behalf of the ECR Group
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its position adopted at first reading on 12 March 2014 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation of the Single European Sky (recast)[1],
– having regard to its position adopted at first reading on 12 March 2014 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 in the field of aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services[2],
– having regard to its resolution of 2 July 2013 on the EU’s External Aviation Policy – Addressing future challenges[3],
– having regard to the Commission Work Programme 2015 – A New Start (COM(2014)0910),
– having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas, according to the latest Commission data, the aviation sector makes a vital contribution to the EU’s overall economy and employment, directly and indirectly supporting 5.1 million jobs and contributing more than 2.4 % to the EU’s GDP;
B. whereas, according to Eurostat data, in 2014 the number of passengers travelling by air in the EU amounted to 879.4 million, representing an increase of 4 % between 2013 and 2014[4];
C. whereas the competitive position of EU airlines faces many challenges, both internally and externally;
D. whereas the EU and its Member States have imposed various legal and financial regulations that have unilaterally increased burdens for the European aviation sector (intra-EU ETS, national taxes, restrictions on operating hours);
E. whereas the Commission intends to deliver an Aviation Package by the end of 2015 which will identify the challenges facing the EU’s aviation sector;
1. Considers that the Aviation Package should improve the competitiveness of the sector and provide a long-term strategy for Europe’s aviation industry;
2. Calls on the Commission, when drafting the Aviation Package, to take into account and include the European Parliament’s abovementioned first-reading positions on SES2+ and on aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services;
3. Emphasises that the aeronautics industry is a major contributor to EU growth and jobs and is closely linked to the EU aviation sector’s competitiveness (increased exports, cleaner technologies, Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), SES, bilateral air safety agreements – as appropriate), and generates a turnover of some EUR 100 billion per annum and approximately 500 000 direct jobs; asks, therefore, for proactive policies to support and develop the aeronautics industry;
4. Underlines that innovation is a prerequisite for a competitive European aviation industry; recommends, therefore, that the Commission and the Member States support innovation in the fields of air traffic management, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), alternative fuel solutions, airport security, new business models and integrated ticketing;
5. Calls on the Member States to adopt proactive policies concerning additional capacity and connectivity, in order to improve the competitiveness of EU airports vis-à-vis third‑country airports, and to improve their national infrastructure in order to allow their airlines to compete more favourably;
6. Notes that European airports are facing significant competitive pressures – from both airlines and competing airports; urges airlines and airports, therefore, to come together to solve issues regarding the implementation of the Airport Charges Directive;
7. Calls on the Member States to encourage and promote the importance of small and regional airports within the EU as a means both of avoiding congestion at larger and hub airports through indirect connections and of improving connectivity;
8. Calls on the Commission to conclude as a matter of urgency comprehensive aviation agreements with the EU’s major trading partners such as neighbouring countries, BRIC countries, ASEAN countries, Japan, the Gulf States and Turkey;
9. Calls on the Member States to accelerate the implementation of the Single European Sky, through the adoption of the SES2+ package and through the full implementation and operation of Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs), as the non-implementation of the SES has led to punitive consequences for European air carriers; calls on the Member States to redouble their efforts to tackle air traffic control (ATC) strikes, which have caused severe disruption for passengers, by making use of new technologies or through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms;
10. Stresses that the aviation industry requires a highly skilled and motivated workforce, and that in order to continue this trend and to compete in a highly competitive international market, both EU and national regulatory provisions on employment and working conditions must be fully complied with in order to ensure good working conditions, standards and practices, whilst acknowledging the development of more competitive economic models;
11. Calls for the full implementation of the SESAR programme, which requires close cooperation and financial commitment on the part of the Commission, air navigation service providers, air carriers and airports;
12. Awaits with interest the Commission’s revision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Regulation as part of the Aviation Package;
13. Calls on the Commission to lift the regulatory barriers to satellite-based air traffic surveillance in order to enable life-saving services for EU citizens, and asks the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to make the necessary spectrum allocation;
14. Calls for a more ‘risk-based security’ approach for passengers instead of the current reactive approach; urges the Commission to undertake a feasibility study on the implementation of a pre-check and ‘Global Entry’ system in Europe equivalent to what is currently being trialled in the United States;
15. Calls on the budgetary authorities to provide the necessary resources for the EASA, taking into account its responsibilities, whilst noting that the industry provides 70 % of the EASA’s budget; calls on the Commission to ensure the provision of the original Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) budget, which was affected by the establishment of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI);
16. Calls on the Commission to address the aforementioned issues in its Aviation Legislative Package to be delivered by the end of 2015;
17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.
- [1] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0220.
- [2] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0221.
- [3] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0290.
- [4] http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Thousand_passengers_carried_monthly_data_2013-2014.png