Cheaper, shorter and greener flights after MEPs adopt Single European Sky
Posted, March 25, 2009 @ 17:00
Kirkhope welcomes better coordination of air traffic network
Flights could become shorter, cheaper and greener after MEPs adopted proposals for a more efficient European air traffic control network, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Conservative transport spokesman, said today.
The new regulations adopted today make up the 'Single European Sky' package which aims to bring Europe's air traffic network in line with the increase in air traffic in recent years.
The new legislation will strengthen cross-border 'Functional Airspace Blocks' (FABs) which will cut across national frontiers, enabling air traffic controllers to manage flights in a more rational way. International flights currently have to pass through national air traffic control zones or "blocks", being handed over from one national authority to another. This system often leads to bottlenecks and delays, forcing aircraft to consume more fuel and jeopardising safety.
It is hoped that the new rules will benefit the aviation industry by an estimated two to three billion Euros over the next 10 years and that 16 million tonnes of CO2 emissions should be cut as a result of reduced flight times.
Implementation of these new rules will be the responsibility of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The aviation sector will expect better operational management of this legislation from EASA than under the previous package where over half of their staff were found to be translators with no direct involvement in air traffic controlling.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"A lack of coordination between national air traffic controllers too often forces planes to travel further than necessary and can create safety problems.
"Consumers and the aviation industry will benefit from this new legislation. It will make flights shorter and skies cleaner whilst helping airlines to reduce their fuel and flying costs.
"Let us hope now that the regulator can finally get its act together by making sure this scheme is a success."