Transportudvalget 2016-17
KOM (2013) 0410 Bilag 2
Offentligt
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To
the chairmen of the parliamentary committees in
the European Union who are concerned with Single
European Sky
Postbus 20018
2500 EA Den Haag
The Standing Committee for Infrastructure and
the Environment
G. B. Koerselman
Binnenhof 1a
2513 AA The Hague
T 2391
Date 2 December 2016
Subject Recommendations parliamentary rapporteurs Single European Sky
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E [email protected]
Dear Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee,
It is a pleasure to inform you of our recommendations resulting from our role as
parliamentary rapporteurs on the matter of the Single European Sky (SES). We have been
appointed by the Dutch House of Representatives' Standing Committee for Infrastructure
and the Environment to stimulate the progress towards achieving a Single European Sky.
In order to identify the obstacles preventing further implementation of the SES, we have
held talks with experts and stakeholders, with the European Commission and with
aviation spokespersons from the European Parliament. We also used a questionnaire to
find out what the national parliaments in Europe see as the main impediments. All of
this has brought us to the following recommendations, which we are pleased to share
with you.
1)
The European Commission is expected to complete an enquiry into the
effectiveness of
functional airspace blocks (FABs) by the end of this year. This
merits serious study. We recommend that you reflect on what has already been
achieved within your own FAB, as well as on the question of how and within
what time-frame progress will be made within your FAB to make the necessary
improvements in order to achieve a Single European Sky.
2) We also recommend that you carefully examine the role of the national air traffic
control services in bringing about a Single European Sky. This may include
exploring the possibility of setting up an independent European supervisory body
and of increasing competition in order to break through monopoly positions. Air
traffic control services and their trade unions should be challenged to provide
 kom (2013) 0410 - Bilag 2: Kopi af TRU alm. del - bilag 111: Brev fra Hollands Tweede Kamer om Single European Sky
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Date 2 December 2016
Subject Recommendations parliamentary rapporteurs Single European Sky
specific details of how jobs will be lost as a result of the SES. This cannot be
allowed to be a continuing argument that results in stagnation.
3) We recommend that the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and
Tourism (TRAN) ask the European Parliamentary Research Service to have the
alleged loss of employment in the various air traffic control services as a result of
the implementation of the SES explored in greater detail.
4) Some member states are still failing to provide sufficient network capacity. It is
recommended that this be improved so that the SES objectives can be achieved.
Member states should be called to account on this within a European context.
Ultimately, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We encourage member
states failing in their duties in this area to take further action, and we call on the
European Commission to intervene if member states continue to fail on this
point.
5) There are opportunities for a greater focus on innovation in realising the SES.
Perhaps the best example of these is the concept of motorways in the sky, the
Free Route Airspace Project. Unlike motorways for road vehicles, this is not
possible on a bilateral basis, but must be initiated at European level. It calls for
ambitious efforts on the part of the various member states. We recommend that
willing neighbouring countries that are prepared to bring about a free route
airspace of this kind (or part of it) join forces in an effort to achieve this. This can
set an example to other parts of Europe and promote innovation in aviation.
6) Focusing on the technological aspect through SESAR should be a top priority. The
standardisation and integration of what are in many cases very outdated systems
could potentially prove to be the greatest trigger in bringing about the formation
of the SES. Modernising and improving the technological foundations can help
eradicate administrative and organisational barriers.
7) We recommend that support for the SES project be sought among NGOs in the
field of nature and the environment. If they were to become advocates of the
SES, this could provide policymakers with the motivation needed to take action
to eradicate obstacles. We also recommend that policymakers engage in talks
with nature and environmental organisations to foster support for the SES
project and encourage them to speak out in favour of it.
8) Member states must not allow themselves to be held hostage by the issue
around Gibraltar and/or to use this for their own political purposes that have
nothing to do with the realisation of the SES. Gibraltar is a bilateral issue that
cannot be allowed to impede such an important project as the SES. In our actions
as member states, we must not shy away from raising this issue.
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 kom (2013) 0410 - Bilag 2: Kopi af TRU alm. del - bilag 111: Brev fra Hollands Tweede Kamer om Single European Sky
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Date 2 December 2016
Subject Recommendations parliamentary rapporteurs Single European Sky
9) Airlines should also become more involved in the discussion. They, and the
passengers they serve, will benefit directly from the SES. Pressure from airlines
at national level will be crucial in removing obstacles at European level.
We hope that these recommendations will result in a greater focus on the issue of the
Single European Sky within Europe's national parliaments. We therefore trust that these
recommendations, which bring our role as parliamentary rapporteurs to an end, will help
to trigger a sense of urgency in member states with regard to the need for further
development of a Single European Sky.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the Standing Committee for Infrastructure and the Environment,
Martijn van Helvert (CDA)
Single European Sky Rapporteur
Member of the Dutch House of Representatives of the States General
[email protected]
Salima Belhaj (D66)
Single European Sky Rapporteur
Member of the Dutch House of Representatives of the States General
[email protected]
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