Single European Sky: provision of air navigation services

PURPOSE : to establish a Community framework for the provision of air navigation services. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Regulation 550/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of air navigation services in the single European sky ("the service provision Regulation"). CONTENT : the Council adopted by written procedure the package of four Regulations aimed at creating a "Single European Sky" in accordance with the joint text agreed by the Conciliation Committee (refer to the previous summary), introducing common rules on the use of airspace throughout the Community in order to reduce air delays and airspace congestion. The "Single European Sky" package contains a framework Regulation and three implementing Regulations covering air navigation service provision, organisation and use of airspace and interoperability within the European air transport management network. These legislative proposals aims, in particular, at improving and reinforcing safety, and at restructuring airspace as a function of traffic flow rather than according to national boundaries. The services Regulation aims at establishing common requirements for the safe and efficient provision of air navigation services in a seamless and interoperable manner throughout the Community. It sets out a harmonised certification system and provides rules for designation of service providers: - the national supervisory authorities shall ensure the appropriate supervision of the application of this Regulation, in particular with regard to the safe and efficient operation of air navigation service providers which provide services relating to the airspace falling under the responsibility of the Member State which nominated or established the relevant authority. To this end, each national supervisory authority shall organise proper inspections and surveys to verify compliance with the requirements of this Regulation. The air navigation service provider concerned shall facilitate such work. National supervisory authorities may decide to delegate in full or in part the inspections and surveys to recognised organisations that fulfil the necessary requirements; - licensing of controllers : it is provided that as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall present, if appropriate, a proposal to the European Parliament and to the Council on the licensing of controllers. Arrangements should be made to harmonise the licensing systems for controllers, in order to improve the availability of controllers and to promote the mutual recognition of licences; - common requirements for the provision of air navigation services shall be established. They shall include the following: technical and operational competence and suitability, systems and processes for safety and quality management, reporting systems, quality of services, financial strength, liability and insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure, including the prevention of conflicts of interest, human resources, including adequate staffing plans and security. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 01/04/2004.�