Aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services: simplifying and clarifying the legal framework

The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted the report by David-Maria SASSOLI (EPP, IT) on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council modifying Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services.

The parliamentary committee recommended that the position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure modify the Commission proposal as follows.

Role of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): Members underlined that safety should remain the priority mission of the Agency. The Regulation should also promote sustainable development, performance, interoperability, climate protection, environmental friendliness and energy saving.

They also proposed reinforcing the international role of the Agency: this last should promote Union aviation standards and rules at the international level and the movement worldwide of the Union's aeronautical products, professionals and services with a view to facilitating their access to new growing markets.

Delegation of powers: the decision to suspend the delegation of the appointing authority powers to the Executive Director and the sub-delegation of these powers must be taken by an absolute majority of the Management Board.

Executive Board: the Members wished to ensure openness and transparency for every Member State when decisions are taken at the EASA Management Board.

The Executive Board shall be composed of the Chairperson of the Management Board, one representative of the Commission to the Management Board, and five other members appointed by the Management Board for a term of two years, among its members with the right to vote. The term of the five appointees of the Management Board may be renewed on an unlimited number of occasions.

The term of office of the Chairperson of the Executive Board shall be the same as his/ her term of office as the Chairperson of the Management Board. The term of office of the representative of the Commission shall be the same as his/her term of office on the Management Board.

Executive Director: before appointment, the candidate selected by the Management Boardshall make a statement before the competent committee of the European Parliament and answer questions put by its members.

Mid-term, the Commission shall draw up a report evaluating the Executive Director's performance and the Agency's future tasks and challenges. This evaluation report shall be presented to the competent committee of the European Parliament.

The Executive Director shall be assisted by one Deputy Executive.

Revenues of the Agency: these may be provided for by grants. These grants constitute an indispensable part of the Agency's budget, allowing it to perform various aviation safety related projects, mainly with third countries.

Conflicts of interest: the Members introduced an amendment proposing the legal ground for the Agency to implement a complete set of rules for managing and avoiding conflicts of interest. The governing bodies of the Agency shall be responsible of developing and implementing this policy taking into consideration the particularities of the Agency to get the best technical knowledge as well as sensitive, classified and commercial information that might be involved.

Finally, the Agency must maintain a real flexibility regarding the management of staff dedicated to activities strongly linked to market demands.