Eén Europees Luchtruim voordelig voor consumenten, de economie en het milieu (en)

The Spanish Minister for Public Works and Transport, José Blanco, stressed that the signing of the 'open skies' agreement between the EU and the United States, on Tuesday in Luxembourg, will positively affect 60 % of transatlantic flights, making them shorter and cheaper, in addition to mitigating their environmental impact.

This Thursday in Luxembourg, Mr Blanco will participate in the EU Transport Council and will sign the air services agreement between the United States and the European Union, along with his American counterpart, Ray LaHood, and the Vice-president of the Commission responsible for transport, Siim Kallas i.

The agreement, which constitutes the definitive step in the creation of a Common Transatlantic Aviation Area, which will include 60 % of world-wide passenger air traffic, was one of the main priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU in the area of transport. The resulting integrated air traffic area will make it possible to cut flight distances and times, lower ticket prices and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the signing of this agreement will boost the already strong social and economic ties between Europe and North America and substantially enrich the scope of the Transatlantic Agenda, while sending the rest of the world a message which emphasises openness and improvement.

The agreement is the result of several months of intense work by the commissions responsible for its negotiation and represents the culminating achievement of three years of meetings, due in large part to the impetus provided by the Spanish Presidency of the EU Transport Council.

Last January, the Spanish minister and the Commission met with the American Transport Secretary, Ray LaHood, in order to communicate Europe's expectations with regard to the achievement of said agreement.

Fewer impediments for an integrated market

With respect to its content, the 'open sky' text, which has the status of an international treaty, includes major advances with regard to environmental issues, regulatory streamlining, mutual recognition of authorisations and competence.

It likewise highlights increased cooperation with regard to civil aviation and operations security and safety issues, and will lead to an improved exchange of information among authorities, as well as mutual recognition of measures and procedures in the event of emergencies.

In addition, thanks to the agreement, European companies will be able to transport personnel who have entered into public contracts with the American government.

The agreement establishes a specific procedure for continuing to make real progress towards freer and more open markets, creating a Joint Committee which will be composed of representatives of both governments and of the respective sectors involved, and with the reinforcement of new potential transatlantic alliances between airline companies.

Urban Mobility Action Plan

Also expected at this council is the adoption of the conclusions, drawn up during the informal meeting of Transport ministers held in A Coruña last February, regarding the Urban Mobility Action Plan, which was designed to make it easier for local, regional and national authorities to achieve more sustainable, healthy and safe mobility in urban areas.

In addition, the European Commission will also present the Council with a report on the EU's response to the consequences for air transport of the volcanic ash cloud which originated in Iceland, and the Twenty-seven will debate the role which the sector should play in the new Europe 2020 strategy.

Effects of the Icelandic volcano

On Tuesday, the Spanish minister made reference to the fact that a range of agreements will be approved, but that none of them will deal with compensation to airline companies for the effects of the crisis stemming from the eruption of the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjalla, which led to air traffic being halted in numerous European countries, and he stated that 'no compensation is foreseen' for airline companies.

Spanish airline companies claim to have lost 42 million euros as a result of the dust and ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano, which interrupted air traffic all over Europe.