Aviation Intelligence Reporter – April 2008
Taking AIM
The low down on the Environment Summit
Match point Heinrich – Security regulations face renewed scrutiny
Round 2 on EU-US open skies
Visa waivers for EU travellers to the USA
State Aid to Alitalia – you wouldn’t read about it
Airport Charges Directive – back to the Parliament
Stop Press: the Commission recognises secondary slot trading
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click hereTaking AIM
Information generation and processing is one of the most overlooked aspects of air
navigation service provision. It is in the same category as the plumbing – only noticed
when not working. For over 50 years, under Annex 15 of the Chicago Convention, each
State has been required to provide certain information, on paper, on a cost recovery
basis. But paper based systems are slow, expensive, inflexible and inaccessible – and
out of date.
…
The low down on the Environment Summit
Some deep semiotic symbolism was at play at what is now an annual aviation industry
‘Summit’ on the environment, held in Geneva in April. The summit was held in a
basement.
…
Match point Heinrich – Security regulations face renewed scrutiny
We have previously had some fun with the case currently before the European Court of
Justice (ECJ) brought by Herr Heinrich, a keen amateur tennis player from Austria. You
may recall that he was refused boarding on a flight to a tennis tournament with his
racquets, on the grounds that they were on the list of banned objects. Sadly for Mr
Heinrich, he was unable to verify that, on the grounds that what was on the list was itself
confidential and thus not for the likes of him to be able to see. Refusing to accept that
response, Heinrich took action in the local court in Austria, which referred the issue to
the ECJ.
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Round 2 on EU-US open skies
Open skies between the EU and the U.S. started on 30 March, and to date it is a case of
so far, so good. With every week bringing news of another airline ceasing business (or
merging with another) and the oil price continuing to spiral upwards, any move that
opens access to markets is positive. But it is only a first step, certainly as far as the
Europeans are concerned.
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Visa waivers for EU travellers to the USA
Consequently, the Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open
negotiations with the U.S. on the conditions for European participation in the visa waiver
programme that come under Community law. The decision does not apply to the UK and
Ireland as they do not take part in the common visa policy.
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State Aid to Alitalia – you wouldn’t read about it
If the Olympic Airways saga can be compared to a Greek tragedy, the Alitalia saga is
more like a collage of all Roman Empire history; as if a school text book has been thrown
into the wind and pages flutter down with moments in history jumbled up.
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Airport Charges Directive – back to the Parliament
We may be very near the end game of the discussion on the draft Airport Charges
Directive. Having considered the matter, the Council has returned to the Parliament
what the Council considers to be a politically acceptable version of the draft. Whilst
there has been some movement towards the airline positions, airports are still entitled to
consider this to be a substantial victory.
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Stop Press: the Commission recognises secondary slot trading
Just as this Aviation Intelligence Reporter went to print, the European Commission
released a communication on the application of the slot allocation Regulation. The
Communication clarifies a number of issues regarding the existing rules. The
Commission wants to improve the efficient use of scarce capacity at congested
European airports. Most significantly, it signals the acceptance of secondary trading of
airport slots between air carriers.
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