92001E2066

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2066/01

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Single European Sky

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the status of Gibraltar from delaying the implementation of Single European Sky?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2064/01, E-2065/01 and E-2066/01given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

The Commission has explained the background of its Single Sky initiative in its replies to Written Questions P-312/011(1) and P-2062/012(2) of the Honourable Member.

Conscious of the need to propose measures quickly in order to alleviate delays and address the problems of the current air traffic management organisation, the Commission started work even before the completion of the High Level Group report referred to in its previous replies, in order to prepare the technical background for any legislative proposals.

In this context, several studies were commissioned, the results of which are published on http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/themes/air/english/single_eur_sky_en.html and which were discussed at a public workshop late May 2001.

The Commission now expects to bring forward legislative proposals shortly after the summer.

Therefore the Commission is not of the opinion that there has up to now been any delay in the preparation of the Single Sky proposals.

In view of its general experience in the field of air transport, where several of its proposals have been held up in the Council because of difficulties concerning their application to Gibraltar airport, the Commission hopes that the United Kingdom and Spain can give it assurances that these difficulties will not arise in connection with the single sky proposals.

The Commission notes that contacts are under way between the relevant Member States on this question, expressing the hope that these contacts will produce early agreement. However, since the Commission is not party to these discussions, it is not in a position to inform the Honourable Member as to their progress and contents.

(1) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001.

(2) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 237.