ACI EUROPE has long argued that any revision of the existing EU Directive on ground handling should empower airports to set minimum service-levels for ground handlers and better control over the activities within the airport perimeter.
At present, the Airport Package contains legislative proposals on airport slots and capacity, ground handling and aviation noise. According to the rumour mill in Brussels, the Airport Package is due for adoption by the European Commission on 30 November, just as this issue of Airport Business is being distributed.
Given that the Airport Package will set the direction and priorities of a significant portion of European airport policy for the years to come, ACI EUROPE has closely followed the work undertaken by DG MOVE and consulted with them at regular intervals.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
Airport slots & capacity
With a broader field of airlines hungry for airport slots and the increasing urgency of resolving the issue of airport capacity in Europe, the revision of the regulation is of keen interest to both airports and airlines.
The existing regulation on the use of airport slots has been scheduled for review for some time. The current regulation primarily benefits the legacy airlines that enjoy ‘grandfather’ rights over slots at some of Europe’s busiest airports. At present, those airlines enjoy the flexibility of the current 80/20 slots usage rule and the sometimes unofficial, but acknowledged presence of secondary trading of airport slots between airlines (with zero benefit going to the airport).
With a broader field of airlines hungry for airport slots and the increasing urgency of resolving the issue of airport capacity in Europe, the revision of the regulation is of keen interest to both airports and airlines.
EC Vice-President Kallas has also announced that better use of airport slots could help optimise existing airport capacity to the tune of about 28 million passengers. That figure is theoretical and the means to achieving it is also contested by some airlines. For its part, ACI EUROPE supports any measure that will lead to better use of existing airport capacity.
Given that the Single European Sky aims to triple airspace capacity, ACI EUROPE argues that the priority of matching airport capacity on the ground should be central to Vice-President Kallas’ vision for the Airport Package.
However, even if the full figure of 28 million passengers in additional capacity does materialise, there is no escaping the simple truth that Europe will need to build more airport infrastructure if it is going to accommodate the near doubling in air traffic, that EUROCONTROL predicts will occur by 2030. For this reason, ACI EUROPE has also been underlining the need for the Airport Package to contain a strong reference to the urgent need for more airport capacity in Europe, if we are to remain properly connected to the rest of the world.
Not only that, but given that the Single European Sky aims to triple airspace capacity, ACI EUROPE argues that the priority of matching airport capacity on the ground should be central to Vice-President Kallas’ vision for the Airport Package.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE says “We have repeatedly told Vice-President Kallas and representatives of DG MOVE that bundling these new legislative proposals together into the Airport Package should not simply be an exercise in boosting visibility. This is the opportunity for a genuine vision on how Europe’s airports can best serve the connectivity of our continent, for the long term. There is a burning unresolved issue to be addressed. Without matching airport capacity, the Single European Sky will not realise its potential and ultimately fail to deliver much of the promised benefits. The Airport Package cannot simply ignore that.”
Ground handling
Ground handling was one of the sore points of last year’s extreme winter conditions and the operational complications which occurred at some airports, in particular concerning aircraft de-icing fluid.
ACI EUROPE has long argued that any revision of the existing EU Directive on ground handling should empower airports to set minimum service-levels for ground handlers and better control over the activities within the airport perimeter. This point may finally be resolved in the ground handling part of the Airport Package. However, there is also talk of a proposed further liberalisation of ground handling services in Europe. Together with Europe’s airports, the European Association of Independent Ground Handlers and the Unions have, within the framework of the Social Dialogue, already denounced the dangers inherent to any further liberalisation. Indeed, following a first round of liberalisation in the late 1990s, the ground handling market has become extremely competitive, with a significant price reduction, but to the detriment of social conditions and quality of service. As a result, airport operators now only account for 16% of the market, leaving the rest to independent handlers and airlines.
ACI EUROPE has made it known that it does not support any further liberalisation, as it would only would put jobs at risk, potentially prompting industrial action, precisely at a time when Europe’s jobless recovery now faces a double dip recession. Moreover, it would also negatively impact the performance and quality of ground operations, with potential consequences on safety and security levels.
Aviation noise
While ACI EUROPE has already pledged support for Vice-President Kallas’ proposal to reinforce and clarify the ICAO ‘Balanced approach’ to noise restrictions, concerns remain about the reaction in the European Parliament and at national level in EU Member States.
On the matter of aviation noise, this part of the Airport Package will potentially see a revision of the EU Directive on Noise Management. While ACI EUROPE has already pledged support for Vice-President Kallas’ proposal to reinforce and clarify the ICAO ‘Balanced approach’ to noise restrictions, concerns remain about the reaction in the European Parliament and at national level in EU Member States.
For the full picture on the Airport Package and its various implications, all will apparently be revealed at the end of November. After that, the legislative proposals will have to make their way through the EU regulatory machine, namely in the hands of the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. Expect a full update in the Spring 2012 issue of Airport Business.
