EU TRAN responds to Commission communication on an aviation strategy for Europe
European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published (02-Feb-2017) a motion for a Parliament resolution on establishing a new aviation strategy for Europe. The motion is in response to European Commission's "Communication on an Aviation Strategy for Europe", published on 07-Dec-2015. TRAN welcomed the Commission's initial communication and agreed with objectives set in the strategy, while noting it expects a, "Timely delivery following the indicative action plan". However, TRAN stated a, Comprehensive and more audacious European aviation strategy is required", while proposing new plans to include provisions for:
- Further developing the European aviation model, while avoiding protectionism;
- Developing a single European Upper Flight Information Region (FIR), without prejudice to Member State sovereignty. TRAN stated such an FIR would allow building a "Trans-European Motorway", to mitigate current airspace fragmentation and disruptions;
- Developing a connectivity index to reflect the, "Actual added value of a specific route;
- Encouraging multimodality;
- Creating a favourable environment for "smart investment";
- Delivering on environmental objectives.
The European aviation sector directly employs from 1.4 million to two million people, contributing EUR110 billion to EU GDP, according to TRAN. [more - original PR]