(2004/C 84 E/0358)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0132/04

by Marjo Matikaineri-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 January 2004)

Subject:   Improved aviation safety through more effective channelling of information

The disastrous crash of an aircraft owned by the charter airline Flash has shown that the authorities, travel agencies and passengers are not adequately informed about possible safety problems affecting individual airlines. Access to information is difficult and in some cases the release of any information whatsoever is prohibited by law. As a result, an airline which has been banned from flying in one country may be able to carry on its activities in other countries. From the point of view of the safety of passengers, this is no longer acceptable.

Does the Commission intend to incorporate into the directive it is now preparing on aviation safety uniform rules, applicable to all the EU Member States, governing the procedures for checking aircraft and airlines, for reporting on the outcome of such checks and for forwarding that information to all the EU Member States? What time-frame has the Commission set itself for completing the directive on aviation safety?

What measures does the Commission plan to take to ensure that both travel agencies and passengers can obtain reliable, up-to-date information on possible safety risks and that passengers can thus take, at their own discretion, decisions on matters which have a fundamental bearing on their own safety?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2004)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No P-l58/04 by Mr Hortefeux (1).

(1)  OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004.