IATA Urges EU Ministers to Agree to Recommendations for Air Traffic Management

According to IATA, EU Transport Ministers met yesterday, December 5, to agree on their position on ATM for negotiations with the European Parliament, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

In addition, the focus of discussions will be on a 2020 proposal from the EU Commission, which calls for a fully independent regulator to assess the performance of the various European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).

“Regrettably, European member states have rejected this. The Parliament, in line with the Commission proposal, has pushed for tougher regulation, but airlines fear a last-minute unsatisfactory compromise that will enable states to be judge and jury on the targets for their own ANSPs, how they should be monitored, and what their success will look like,” the statement of IATA reads.

According to IATA Regional Vice President for Europe Rafael Schvartzman, the Commission’s 2020 proposals were very clear that countries should not mark the homework of their air navigation service providers but they should present their performance to be judged by an independent body.

As IATA explains, given the political ramifications of shaking up the powerful air traffic control union, EU member states have consistently frustrated the progress towards safety, efficiency, and environmental improvements that would be generated by the Single European Sky.

However, the drive to find carbon savings has generated new momentum for reform. In addition, the airlines also support the Commission’s 2020 proposals, as they include a new and welcome opportunity to optimize flight trajectories.

Commenting on this situation, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe Thomas Reynaert said that politicians, instead of constantly lecturing aviation about its climate impact, it is unacceptable that they refuse to push for reforms that could bring up to ten percent reductions in emissions in European airspace.

He also added that this meeting of EU Transport Ministers represents a chance to promote improvements in this direction.

Moreover, Director Reynaert also emphasized that the EU airlines have encouraged the ministers to use the opportunity and implement the proposals of the EU Commission to reach a good agreement for the member states, the airlines and the environment.

At the end of July, IATA welcomed the aspirations of Member States to reduce carbon emissions caused by aviation by 2050.

In this regard, Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA said that the support of the ICAO High-Level Meeting was an important step towards encouraging Member States to commit to achieving net zero aviation carbon emissions before 2050.