Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has welcomed the Single European Sky (SES ) legislative package, which addresses the air transport system as a whole having a direct positive effect on air carriers, the air service industry, air traffic control, airports and the aeronautical industry, and not forgetting passengers.
The SES project hopes to build a network of direct air routes and make air traffic control efficient by the creation of functional air blocks (FAB ) to bring about shorter flight times, a decrease in kerosene consumption, and less pollution thanks to lower CO2 emissions. The length of flights will be shorter and cheaper thanks to shorter routes and lower air taxes in each state. The implementation of the Single European Sky is foreseen for the first half of 2012 at the latest.
Speaking in Strasbourg Mr Higgins said: “Flight routes will be shorter, air traffic control more efficient, and air navigation will be optimised and integrated. As a direct consequence, less fuel will be burned and emissions will decrease significantly - all of these changes should bring a reduction in the price of tickets. This marks an important step forward for the aviation industry.”
The Single European Sky II Package represents one of the priorities of the French and Czech presidencies and also that of Antonio Tajani, vice president of the European Commission responsible for transport, who stressed in the debate: “We are sending a strong signal to our citizens, those working in the aviation sector, and the industry itself. These proposals lead to a modernisation of air traffic management which will render air transport more feasible, more sustainable, and safer.”
“Savings of over €2 billion are envisaged considering the current situation in aviation and the significant long-term savings,” added Higgins.
