Pilots representing 9 members of Airlines for Europe (A4E) are called on EU transport ministers to finally make the reform of Europe’s airspace a reality ahead of their meeting in Stockholm on 27 January. Their video message urges policymakers to seize the opportunity and move the Single European Sky legislation out of the holding pattern it has been stuck in for many years.
We’ve been waiting too long for this important reform and it’s time to take action on airspace now to deliver for passengers, for Europe and for the environment.
Laurent Donceel, Acting Managing Director A4E
Implementing the updated Single European Sky (SES2+), as proposed by the European Commission, would be a major step in creating a seamless European airspace. This would enable pilots to fly the most efficient routes possible which will reduce the amount of fuel used in-flight, reduce delays and deliver a reduction of around 7% in CO2 emissions.
The EU has been discussing airspace reform for decades without actually taking any concrete decision. As airlines face into a busy summer and the prospect of ever more congested European airspace, the need for reform is clearer than ever.
“Member states have the opportunity to achieve a seamless and digitalised airspace in Europe by supporting the EU Commission’s proposal to reform the Single European Sky (SES2+) legislation. Our pilots have a message for ministers today: We’ve been waiting too long for this important reform and it’s time to take action on airspace now to deliver for passengers, for Europe and for the environment”, A4E’s acting managing director, Laurent Donceel, commented.
About the Single European Sky initiative
The Single European Sky initiative was launched in 2004 to reduce fragmentation of the airspace over Europe, and to improve the performance of air traffic management in terms of safety, capacity, cost-efficiency and the environment. A proposal for a revision of the Single European Airlines have been asking for the fast adoption of SES2+ legislation for years. Being able to fly more direct routes, for example not having to avoid airspace above military bases, has the potential of reducing fuel consumption by 3-5%. Overall, SES2+ can save 28 million tonnes of CO2 per year and 14.5 million hours for passengers.
The proposal was put forward by the Commission in 2013, but negotiations have been stalled in the Council since 2015. In 2019, a Wise Person’s Group, composed of 15 experts in the field, was set up to assess the current situation and future needs for air traffic management in the EU, which resulted in several recommendations. The Commission then amended its 2013 text in September 2020, introducing new measures, and drafted a separate proposal to amend the EU Aviation Safety Agency’s Basic Regulation.
