Aviation Intelligence Reporter – November 2007
The environment in Europe – First reading, and first round, to the green corner
ICAO Reform – Even the ANSPs are keen to make sure it happens
EC proposes changes to the European slot regulations
What, exactly, is a blunt instrument?
Harmony about harmonised services in Europe
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click hereThe environment in Europe – First reading, and first round, to the green corner
The European Parliament plenary voted on the European Commission’s proposal to
include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on November 13. The
European Union had made clear its intention to include aviation in the next round of its
Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), the largest multinational emissions trading plan for
greenhouse gases in the world, and a core aspect of EU climate policy for more than a
year. The vote in the Parliament is yet to be approved by the Council of Ministers, but it
is a very significant milestone, nonetheless. Most airline groups are vehemently
opposed to the ETS proposal, as well as the detail of the vote.
…
ICAO Reform – Even the ANSPs are keen to make sure it happens
This month the Secretary General of CANSO, the industry body for air navigation service
providers wrote to the President of ICAO reminding him of the decision at the last
Assembly to convene a working group to study institutional reforms within ICAO. When
the air traffic controllers (perhaps the most conservative players in the aviation industry)
want to make it clear that they do not want to lose any momentum for on-going reform:
that of itself is a signal.
…
EC proposes changes to the European slot regulations
As we foreshadowed in September, the European has released a communication that
gently and quietly announces a number of minor changes to the EU Slot Regulation, to
be affected by changing the guidelines issued under the Regulation. The big issue,
formalising the transfer of slots openly for cash is not discussed at all. At one level that
is the only topic, on another, it is a non issue, as it is happening right now in Europe, as
the frenzy of new services to and from Heathrow shows. That it is not specifically
catered for does not mean that it is specifically prohibited, or at least that is the airlines’
argument. The EC seems to agree.
…
What, exactly, is a blunt instrument?
In 2005, an Austrian businessman and keen amateur tennis player, Herr Heinrich, was
on his way to a tennis vacation. He tried to board with two expensive tennis racquets in
his hand luggage. He had tried to check them in as fragile but this was not acceptable
to the airline. However, at the gate, he was then told he couldn’t bring them on board
either because they were ‘blunt instruments’. When he protested he was told that a
security regulation specifically forbade tennis rackets.
…
Harmony about harmonised services in Europe
The EC and the European Parliament continue to delve into all aspects of the air
transport industry, working together, diligently on all sorts of aspects of the industry –
from fares available on the internet to what constitutes a ‘commission’ on a fare. A major
step forward was achieved at the very end of November, with the approval by the
European Council of an omnibus piece of legislation proposed by the Parliament (after it
was submitted by the EC) that codified and reviewed a range of issues, including price
transparency and safety regulation.
…