92001E2995

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2995/01

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE), Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)and Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(29 October 2001)

Subject: Possibility of European regulations on night flights at regional airports

The following issues arise from the draft treaty that is to regulate the civil use of the former military airport at Laarbruch. Does the Commission share the view that the agreement on night flight schedules at Zurich-Kloten airport that German Transport Minister, Klaus Bodewig, regards as reasonable, should be taken as a benchmark for night flight schedules at all German regional airports? If not, does the Commission not consider that this issue needs to be examined at European level?

Are there European regulations concerning areas for holding patterns above the territory of a country with which no agreement has been concluded? If so, what are these rules? If not, does the Commission not share our view that the draft treaty must exclude flight paths and noise nuisance that have a major impact on the Netherlands?

Can the Commission say whether the public inquiry required for the purposes of the environmental impact analysis in the neighbouring Netherlands was properly conducted, particularly with regard to the data made available and opportunities to comment?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The Commission has been informed of the agreement between Germany and the Swiss Confederation concerning the conditions for approaching Zurich airport. The detailed flight path into the airport is a matter of local relevance and the Commission's interest is to ensure that the agreed rules for the airport are fully compatible with Community law, and in particular respect the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality. In addition, the Commission has adopted on the 28 November 2001 a proposal for a directive relating to the introduction of operating restrictions. There is at present no Community legislation on holding patterns, although rules on airspace utilisation might in the future be developed as part of the Commission's Single Sky initiative.

The Commission has so far not taken a view under Community law about the agreement relating to the airport of Zurich. Therefore the Commission is not in a position to confirm that this agreement could be regarded as a benchmark to be followed in other contexts.

In respect to the environmental impact assessment, the Commission is aware of concerns that impacts on the neighbouring inhabitants in the Netherlands possibly have not been sufficiently taken into consideration in the planning process related to the conversion of the military airport in Laarbruch. Therefore, it is undertaking queries to assess whether the applicable environmental provisions have been respected.