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Single sky agreement to benefit travellers
An overhaul of Europe’s air traffic system will help to reduce delays for travellers and cut pollution from planes.
The EU Transport Council reached agreement on creating a ‘Single European Sky’ today. It paves the way for Europe’s sixteen air traffic control systems to come under one new regulatory framework.
Benefits are expected to include fewer delays in Europe, better air traffic communications between member states, the freeing up of airspace capacity and cuts in the costs of air traffic services.
The total cost of delays due to air traffic control across Europe was estimated at Euro 2.5 - 3.6 billion in 2001. Single Sky could reduce this figure by at least 25% whilst more effective routing of aircraft could reduce aircraft emissions by 5-10%.
Welcoming the agreement, Transport Minister John Spellar said:
“The UK has been campaigning for this for some time and we have consistently supported the Single Sky project. We believe that Europe’s air traffic system needs overhauling and that unless action is taken delays will continue to rise. I am confident we have put together a package of measures that can secure genuine benefits to air travellers.
“The agreement we have struck today is a great step towards achieving our goal of an integrated European air traffic system.”
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