Framework for the creation of the single European sky

The committee adopted the report by Giovanni FAVA (PES, I) amending the proposal under the codecision procedure (1st reading). It underlined the public interest nature of air navigation services and specified that they should protect both air-transport users and residents affected by over-flying aircraft. It further stipulated that each Member State was free to appoint air navigation public service providers and that the regulation should provide for cases where public or private operations assumed responsibility for missions of general interest. It also called for sanctions to be provided for in cases where safety provisions were infringed. The committee stressed that adequate attention should be paid to Member States' defence needs when creating the Single European Sky (SES). Other points raised in the report included the need for the highest possible level of cooperation with Eurocontrol in order to avoid conflicting regulatory decisions and duplication between the Community and Eurocontrol. The committee also felt that, given the complexity of the task of implementing the SES, the Commission should establish an 'Industry Consultation Body', thereby enabling it to call on the expertise of airspace users and the aircraft industry. Lastly, the committee wanted the timetable for implementing the Single European Sky to be speeded up so that the benefits of the SES could be enjoyed ahead of schedule. �