EC adopts second package of legislation for a Single European Sky

The European Commission has adopted the second package of legislation for a Single European Sky (SES), which it claims would eliminate up to 16 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and save airlines approximately €2.4 million per year.

A Single European Sky has set an ambitious objective of achieving a 10 per cent improvement in carbon emissions and fuel savings

"This package is a win-win for passengers, for Europe's economy and for the environment," vice president -Transport, Antonio Tajani said. "The skies in Europe are still fragmented. As a consequence, flights are on average 49 km. longer than needed. Our proposal aims at helping reduce queues to take off and land, passengers will have more chance of arriving on time. At the same time the package will help us deliver safer and greener flying, while creating more capacity."

The SES II package will operate on the strength of four "pillars."

The first is an update of the original SES legislation, passed in 2004, which includes binding performance targets for air navigation service providers, a deadline date for member nations to establish cross-border Functional Airspace Blocks and a "European network management function" that will work to integrate national networks.

The second is a 'technological' pillar covers deployment of the SESAR air traffic management system, while the third, a 'safety' pillar, details increased responsibilities for EASA and "precise, uniform and binding" regulations covering ATM, navigation and airport services.

The fourth pillar, covering 'airport capacity,' outlines measures to coordinate slot issuance more effectively with ATM and establishment of an "aircraft capacity observatory."