92002E0171

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0171/02

by Roberto Bigliardo (UEN) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Airport safety

I should like to know whether the Board of Directors of the national civil aviation agency has complied with European legislation on airport safety. At the beginning of 2002, following the accident which had taken place at Linate airport on 8 October 2001, a proposal was submitted to the government for a reorganisation of the bodies responsible for air transport safety ENAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) and ENAV (National Flight Assistance Agency). The proposal emphasises and reinforces, among other things, the status of the airport director, appointed by ENAC, who at present has a rather weak position.

On 21 December 2001, however, the ENAC Board of Directors turned this whole approach on its head by bringing several airports under the responsibility of a single director. A particularly worrying aspect is the arrangement introduced at Naples airport where it has been decided to transfer the current director, who has had thirty years' experience of this specific post, and to replace him with the head of the ENAC office which is responsible for airworthiness certification. This involves amalgamating posts which have hitherto been allocated to people with totally different professional backgrounds. Until now, the heads of certification offices throughout Italy have been aeronautical engineers while airport directors normally have qualifications in law.

A number of members of the Italian parliament immediately tabled questions, calling for an explanation of the objectives of the ENAC Board of Directors' decisions, especially in the light of the planned reform of the sector.

In view of the above, would the Commission state whether it is aware of this initiative which has not only baffled political circles but is also causing concern among members of civil society about the safety of air travel, a subject to which the European Parliament has devoted much attention?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that such decisions to amalgamate posts do not create disruption and additional risks in what is already a difficult situation in Italy?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2002)

With reference to the proposal that has been presented to the Council of Ministers in Italy, known as the Commissione Riggio report, the Commission understands that it has not yet been discussed and no date has been indicated for the possible debate.

The Commission is developing a regulatory framework to reinforce civil aviation safety, principally through the establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). At present airport safety is not part of EASA's responsibility but the Commission intends to address this subject at a later stage through the possible extension of the scope of EASA's operations.