Air transport: common rules for civil aviation security

The European Parliament adopted the report by Jacqueline FOSTER (EPP-ED, United Kingdom) and backed amendments retabled from its first reading to ensure that operators will not pay the costs of additional security. (Please refer to the document dated 18/04/02.) Parliament stated that effective, uniform application of security measures will entail substantial costs for all operators. If implementation of the Regulation is found to jeopardise the survival of airports, the cost of additional security measures could be met in the short term by public authorities. Both users of air transport and the air transport sector should in the medium term contribute to the ensuing costs. The financing of the cost of additional security measures should not lead to the distortion of competition between operators and between airports. Member States must adopt a clear, coordinated approach towards financial compensation. Amongst the technical amendments adopted was one stating that air carriers must ensure that any co-mail or co-mat shipment made on behalf of the carrier by a contract organisation such as catering equipment or cleaning supplies, are inspected prior to loading on board an aircraft. Articles considered dangerous or hazardous should not be permitted on board as co-mail or co-mat.�