PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 on the establishment of a Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) as regards the extension of the Joint Undertaking until 2024.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to follow its opinion.
BACKGROUND: the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research and Development project (the 'SESAR project') aims to modernise the air traffic management ('ATM') in Europe and represents the technological pillar of the Single European Sky (SES). It aims by 2030 to provide the Union with a high performance air traffic control infrastructure which will enable the safe and environmentally friendly development of air transport.
The first phase of the definition process ran from 2004 to 2008 and delivered the first edition of the European ATM Master plan (the 'ATM Master Plan'). The ATM Master Plan identifies three steps in the SESAR development process: Time Based operations (Step 1), Trajectory Based Operations (Step 2) and Performance Based Operations (Step 3).
SESAR JU (SJU) was set up by Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 for the purpose of managing the activities of the development process of the SESAR project under the Union’s 2007-2013 financial perspectives. The JU’s work programme, covered by the Union’s 2007-2013 financial perspectives, addresses all elements of Step 1 and approximately 80% of Step 2 of the ATM Master Plan. The related activities should be completed by 2016. The remaining activities of Step 2 and those related to Step 3 should start in 2014 under the Union’s 2014-2020 financial framework.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 219/2007, the JU should cease to exist on 31 December 2016. To continue the development of the activities defined in the ATM Master Plan, it is necessary to extend the duration of the Joint Undertaking until 2024, which reflects the duration of the Union’s 2014-2020 financial framework and allows 4 additional years for completion of projects that would be initiated by the end of that period.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: an ex ante evaluation confirms the usefulness and efficiency of an extension of the SJU under the Horizon 2020 framework programme to reach the SES performance objectives.
LEGAL BASIS: Articles 187 and 188 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: as it is necessary to continue research and innovation on air traffic management (ATM) beyond 2016, this legislative proposal seeks to amend Council Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 to extend the duration of the SJU until 2024.
The proposed amendments also seek to:
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the Commission proposes to provide again for a multiannual financial envelope to be imputed into the Union budget for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 coinciding with the new multiannual financial framework. It proposes earmarking an amount of up to EUR 600 million (including EFTA contribution) for the reference period. This amount is indicative because it is subject to the negotiations currently on-going on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020 and to negotiations with private partners.
The activities to be carried out under the 2014-2020 Multi Financial Framework cover the highest maturity level of Step 2, for which the technology and operations are expected to be available by 2016, and the full scope of Step 3 – Performance based operations of the ATM Master Plan.
It should be noted that the SJU’s work programme financed under the Union’s 2007-2013 financial perspectives is proceeding and is managed so as to complete its activities by 31.12.16, while new activities will be gradually phased in from 2014 onwards.