The European Parliament and Council have agreed on a reform for greener skies and flights. Negotiations at the European summit lasted a decade.
After more than 10 years of negotiations, the European Parliament has concluded a provisional agreement with the Council to reform the rules of the single European sky. Formalized on Wednesday March 6, 2024, the agreement provides for the establishment of three-year performance plans, incentives for more fuel-efficient aircraft routes, and more restrictive environmental objectives. The idea? Improve the management of European airspace, encouraging more efficient and environmentally friendly flights.
Europe seeking better performance for air navigation services
As early as 2013, the European Commission proposed a review of the single sky rules, considered obsolete and blocked by EU member states until Brexit, which occurred at the start of 2020. At that point Brussels was able to work on its proposal again. Legislators then began trilogue negotiations, that is to say by bringing together members of Parliament, the Council and the Commission, until reaching this agreement.
So, what exactly does this agreement say? It establishes performance plans for air navigation services, with binding objectives. An independent advisory body will also be responsible for evaluating the performance of these browsers.
MEPs also managed to obtain provisions to promote climate neutrality in air navigation services. In detail, a performance objective for these services will be set and reviewed every three years. Navigation services will have to help make flights more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
MEPs want greener European skies
Once they are definitively adopted, the new rules will encourage air operators to follow practices that are less harmful to the planet. The European Commission has promised to propose three-year performance objectives. They will integrate profitability, capacity, climate and the environment, although without precise figures.
Financial incentives will encourage aviation players to favor more fuel-efficient routes and clean propulsion technologies.
Another request from MEPs is to strengthen competition in the air navigation market. According to the bill, air traffic controllers will be able to procure other air navigation services under market conditions, such as communications, meteorological or aeronautical information services.
While the informal agreement has been reached, it still needs to be approved by representatives of EU member states and Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee. The last step will be the final approval by the Parliament and the Council as a whole.
Source : European Parliament
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