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Single Sky - unblocking congestion in Europe's airspace by EUbusiness — last modified 11 June 2013, 18:00 CET

The European Commission has acted to speed up the reform of Europe's air traffic control system. The Commission says it is looking to head off a capacity crunch as the number of flights is forecast to increase by 50% over the next 10-20 years. Inefficiencies in Europe's fragmented airspace bring extra costs of close to EUR 5 billion each year to airlines and their customers. They add 42 kilometres to the distance of an average flight forcing aircraft to burn more fuel, generate more emissions, pay more in costly user charges and suffer greater delays. The United States controls the same amount of airspace, with more traffic, at almost half the cost.

Air Passenger Rights Revision by EUbusiness — last modified 13 March 2013, 17:03 CET

The European Commission has announced a package of measures to ensure that air passengers have new and better rights to information, care and re-routing when they are stranded at the airport. At the same time there will be better complaint procedures and enforcement measures so passengers can actually obtain the rights to which they are entitled. The air passenger rights proposal clarifies legal grey areas and introduces new rights where necessary.

Ryanair's proposed takeover of Aer Lingus by EUbusiness — last modified 27 February 2013, 17:21 CET

The European Commission has prohibited, on the basis of the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed takeover of the Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus by the low-cost airline Ryanair. The acquisition would have combined the two leading airlines operating from Ireland. The Commission concluded that the merger would have harmed consumers by creating a monopoly or a dominant position on 46 routes where, currently, Aer Lingus and Ryanair compete vigorously against each other. It says this would have reduced choice and, most likely, would have led to price increases for consumers travelling on these routes. During the investigation, Ryanair offered remedies. The Commission assessed them thoroughly and carried out several market tests. However the remedies proposed fell short of addressing the competition concerns raised by the Commission.

Single European Sky by EUbusiness — last modified 04 December 2012, 17:25 CET

Many EU Member States are seriously lagging behind and not yet fully compliant with requirements to make nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) fully operational, for the deadline of 4 December 2012. A critical deadline has been missed for FABs, the regional airspace blocks which are a key element for the ambitious plans to create a single European airspace – tripling European airspace capacity and halving air traffic control costs. The European Commission warned today that it will launch infringement procedures against Member States for all the Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) which are not yet fully compliant with all legal requirements. It will also present a new package of legislative measures in Spring 2013 to accelerate reforms and ensure the full delivery of a Single European Sky. The EC says inefficiencies caused by Europe's fragmented airspace bring extra costs of close to €5 billion each year. It adds 42 kilometres to the distance of an average flight, forcing aircraft to burn more fuel, generate more emissions, pay more in costly user-charges and suffer greater delays. The United States controls the same amount of airspace, with more traffic, at almost half the cost, it adds.

Single European Sky by EUbusiness — last modified 11 October 2012, 14:14 CET

The Single European Sky, the flagship project to create a single European airspace – tripling capacity and halving air traffic costs – is "not delivering". Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for transport, today announced his intention to present new legislative proposals in Spring 2013 to accelerate implementation, as well as taking all enforcement actions possible, including infringements where necessary. 2012 is seen as a critical year for the Single European Sky (SES), with four key deliverables including nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) to be operational by December 2012.

EU External Aviation Policy Package by EUbusiness — last modified 27 September 2012, 14:37 CET

The European Commission has set out an ambitious package of proposals to boost the international competitiveness of the EU's aviation industry by opening negotiations with key partners to access new business opportunities in the fast growing markets, developing new tools to fight unfair competition and creating the right regulatory conditions to stimulate investment.

Single European Sky Performance Scheme - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 19 July 2012, 22:28 CET

The European Commission has written to EU Member States concerning the performance plans to improve air traffic management under the period 2012-2014 of the Single European Sky Performance Scheme. The scheme is expected to save billions of euros to the benefit of airspace users and passengers in these three years. The Commission today announced that the plans are accepted as broadly in line with legally established European Union-wide targets, but has also adopted recommendations to Member States for further improvements.

Better Airports package - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 01 December 2011, 18:22 CET

The European Commission today announced a comprehensive package of measures to help increase the capacity of Europe's airports, reduce delays and improve the quality of services offered to passengers. The measures address the quality of services passengers and airlines receive on the ground before they take off and after they land (for example, baggage handling, check-in, refuelling), the transparency of decisions on airport noise, as well as the efficiency of the complex network of take-off and landing slots that make up every journey.

Benchmark for free allocation to airlines and on the inclusion of aviation in the EU's Emission Trading System (EU ETS) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 26 September 2011, 22:55 CET

The European Commission has taken an important step for the aviation industry to join other economic sectors in the fight against climate change. Aviation will become part of the EU's emissions trading system (EU ETS) from 2012. The European Commission has published the benchmark values which will be used to allocate greenhouse gas emission allowances free of charge to more than 900 aircraft operators.

Historic aviation emissions and the inclusion of aviation in the EU's Emission Trading System (EU ETS) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 08 March 2011, 13:13 CET

The European Commission on 8 March took an important step in preparing for the full inclusion of aviation in the EU's emissions trading system (EU ETS) from 1 January next year. The European Commission has decided on the historical aviation emissions which will be used to calculate the number of aviation allowances to be available from 2012.

EU external strategy on Passenger Name Record (PNR) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 21 September 2010, 19:07 CET

The European Commission has adopted a package of proposals on the exchange of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data with third countries, consisting of an EU external PNR strategy and recommendations for negotiating directives for new PNR agreements with the United States, Australia and Canada.

Passenger rights in exceptional situations - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 01 July 2010, 22:47 CET

Air and rail passengers continue to enjoy protection even in exceptional circumstances such as the eruption of the Icelandic volcano in April 2010. The situation caused many difficulties for travellers throughout Europe, but passenger rights still applied.

Air passenger rights in the EU - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 30 June 2010, 00:39 CET

The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide publicity campaign in 23 languages to inform passengers about their rights when travelling by air or rail.

Second Stage EU–US "Open Skies" agreement - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 24 June 2010, 15:31 CET

The 'second stage' Open Skies aviation agreement was signed by the European Union and the United States in Luxembourg today. The full implementation of the first and second stage agreements is expected to give the economy a EUR 12 billion boost as well as create up to 80,000 new jobs.

Volcanic ash cloud crisis: EU response to tackle the impact on air transport by EUbusiness — last modified 27 April 2010, 14:02 CET

The European Commission has presented a preliminary assessment of the economic consequences for the air transport industry of the volcanic ash crisis. It also outlines a range of possible short-term actions and structural measures to help the air transport industry overcome this unprecedented period. Faced with this crisis, the first priority of the Commission was to intervene to facilitate the opening of airspace under strict safety conditions so that millions of stranded passengers could get home and to ensure that EU passenger rights are fully respected. Now that the situation is normalising, the focus is on a package of short-term and structural measures for the air transport industry.

The Volcanic Ash Crisis and the EU - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 20 April 2010, 23:04 CET

This briefing outlines the European Union's response to the most frequently asked questions concerning the current volcanic ash crisis, notably in relation to the Commission's role in opening up Europe's airspace, while fully respecting safety requirements, to passenger rights and to the economic response for sectors hit by the crisis. While decisions on airspace management are a national competence, faced with a situation which had become unsustainable the Commission intervened to help facilitate European solutions – to maximise available airspace, within strict safety controls. The Commission has worked tirelessly since Friday, 16th April to work with all key actors to open up corridors of European airspace. Progressively opening up airspace holds the key to providing the most immediate relief to stranded passengers and hard hit economic sectors, while ensuring that safety concerns remain paramount.

Second stage EU-US "Open Skies" agreement and existing first stage air services agreement - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 25 March 2010, 20:15 CET

On 25 March, after eight rounds of negotiations, negotiators reached preliminary agreement on a 'second stage' air services accord. The agreement builds on the 2007 EU-US Open Skies Agreement, increasing regulatory co-operation, and removing barriers to market access that have been holding back the development of the world’s most important aviation markets.

EU Recommendations for Passengers by EUbusiness — last modified 17 December 2009, 11:40 CET

The EU Top 12 Recommendations for Passengers

Common EU Regulations in the field of civil aviation security by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 December 2009, 01:02 CET

This Regulation sets common rules in the field of civil aviation security and mechanisms for monitoring compliance, with the aim of guaranteeing security in air transport and protecting persons and goods within the European Union.

Common EU Regulations in the field of civil aviation security by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 December 2009, 15:17 CET

This Regulation sets common rules in the field of civil aviation security and mechanisms for monitoring compliance, with the aim of guaranteeing security in air transport and protecting persons and goods within the European Union.