The European Parliament adopted by 488 votes to 85, with 62 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community.
Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 includes provisions allowing lease agreements for aircraft registered in third countries, in particular wet lease agreements. The purpose of the proposal is to provide for the possibility of derogating from the conditions for wet-leasing set out in Article 13(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 by concluding international agreements.
The position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure provides for the possibility of derogating from the restrictive conditions applicable to wet lease contracts for aircraft registered in a third country, where an international wet lease agreement signed by the Union, on the basis of an air transport agreement in force signed before 1 January 2008, provides for a specific wet lease regime.
The amended text specifies that, with a view to a possible revision of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, the proposed amendment should be limited to the harmonisation of the Regulation with relevant international obligations.
The international agreement on wet-leasing should include reciprocal rights and obligations for both parties and should be based on an existing air transport agreement.