Air transport: slots at Community airports and competition (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 95/93)

The Commission accepted 19 amendments in full, and 15 in part or principle. The amendments accepted include the following elements of the proposal: the definition of new entrant, air carrier, the functions of the coordinator, the functions of the coordination committee and the designation of coordination parameters. The commission also accepts the amendment concerning its powers when examining cases of exceptional circumstances. Periods for dealing with complaints have been shortened to ensure quick solutions within reasonable time. Other accepted amendments include: -clarification that the analysis of the airport capacity is also made at the request of the coordination capacity, or the air carriers representing more than half of the operators at an airport, or the managing body of the airport, or the Member states or Commission. The Commission rejected 18 amendments. These include: -the deletion of any reference to local passenger organisations from the consultation process regarding the airport capacity analysis and the determination of the coordination parameters. Accepting these amendments would completely deprive consumer interests from playing any role in the slot allocation process; -the status of the coordinator: Parliament has proposed that the exemption of the coordinator from liability despite his increased obligations. The Commission will not accept a general exemption and is of the opinion that the liability of the coordinator should be limited to cases of gross negligence and wilful misconduct; -the functioning of the coordination of the committee; -amendments which would affect intermodality and public service obligations.�