EESC blasts EU and member states over faltering progress on Single European Sky

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stated (22-Sep-2011) the Single European Sky (SES) II package adopted in 2009 has not been implemented partly due to a low degree of commitment from member states and insufficient leadership from the European Commission. The EESC warned if the Single European Sky II package is not implemented quickly, the air traffic management system in the EU risks falling behind in the global market, undermining the future of the European aviation industry in an increasingly competitive environment. Progress on Functional Airspace Block (FAB) implementation has "so far been patchy and slow due to inefficient cooperation between different national air navigation service providers".

The EESC called on the European Commission to monitor more closely the performance of the various FAB initiatives. Cooperation between the industry players under SESAR "has not been efficient enough to ensure a synchronised refurbishment of airborne and ground infrastructure" as provided for under SES II, said the EESC. EESC also called for active and significant funding support from public authorities and the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions. [more - original PR]