Civil aviation: organisation of working time of mobile workers, agreement concluded by transport associations

The committee adopted the report by Stephen HUGHES (PES, UK) welcoming the proposal for a Council Directive concerning the European Agreement on the working time of mobile workers in civil aviation. The committee had been delegated the power of decision on this proposal, in accordance with Rule 62 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. In its resolution, the committee pointed out that a strong link existed between occupational and operational safety in the civil aviation sector, and that a high level of both was also a guarantor of protection for passengers and the environment. It therefore asked the Commission to bring forward, as a matter of urgency, a proposal for a Regulation on flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements, with a view to maintaining high operational safety levels and the prevention of short-term crew fatigue. The committee pointed out that this, together with the proposed Directive on working time, would be an indispensable instrument for the establishment of a European Common Aviation Area in the context of enlargement. The report also stressed the need for non-regression clauses and for penalties applicable in the case of infringements. It urged the Council to keep to the implementation period of 2 years proposed by the Commission. �