EBAA backs the Single European Sky Initiative
European Business Aviation Association backs viewpoint that the Single European Sky initiative is “too important to fail.”
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has commended the European Commission vice-president Siim Kallas and MEP Brian Simpson for voicing their frustration over the lack of decisive action taken by Member States, and for condemning them for failing to make the changes needed to deliver the benefits of the Single European Sky (SES) initiative at the recent EU Presidency Cyprus Summit.
The Commission’s sentiments are completely aligned with EBAA’s recent calls to national stakeholders to no longer delay in taking action to realise the promises of SES.
“It seems unlikely at present that objectives will be met due to the lack of mobilisation among Member States. There can be no arguing that air traffic control drastically needs modernising in order to create cost-efficient capacity for future growth and help reduce both fuel burns and emissions. On this last point alone, SES could have a real impact on curbing CO2 emissions, far greater than anything the EU ETS hopes to deliver. As such, foot dragging by some Member States seriously jeopardises Europe’s reputation as a leader in tackling environmental issues and reducing carbon emissions,” said Fabio Gamba, CEO of EBAA.
Gamba added: “Airspace users and their passengers are obliged to incur on-going, substantially high costs that should otherwise have been avoidable.”
“Considering the gravity of Europe’s economic landscape today, inefficiencies cannot be afforded in sectors like aviation that are fundamental to enabling Europe’s recovery. The EBAA firmly stands behind the Commission to do whatever is necessary, including enforcing infringement procedures, to put this crucial programme back on track as soon as possible,” Gamba concluded.
