The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the report of the High Level Group (HLG) for the Future European Aviation Regulatory Framework. The report outlines ten recommendations for the further development of a safe, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system.

At the core of the report’s recommendations is realising an effective Single European Sky (SES).  “The moment of truth has arrived. Today’s report clearly points to achieving the SES as a top priority and it sets out ten practical recommendations to achieve it urgently. There can be no more excuses. It’s time to start moving,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The SES has a major role to play in Europe’s competitiveness and its approach to the environment. “Each year, the failure to unite Europe’s skies costs the economy EUR 3.3 billion for inefficiencies and costs the environment 12 million tonnes of unnecessary CO2 emissions. We have been talking about the SES for too long—nearly 15 years. During that time we have seen far too many reports and far too little progress. This must change,” said Bisignani.

 

“I congratulate Vice President Barrot on his vision and his leadership, incorporating the best advice of all stakeholders, including users. As a result, we now have a roadmap to achieve significant change with a target date of 2013.The next step is to turn this common vision into action in conjunction with the Transport and Defence Ministers and the European Parliament. We must seize the moment. This is a real opportunity for progress that cannot be missed,” said Bisignani.
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