SIMIGDALAS ASKS FOR EC ENVIRONMENT & CONSUMER PROTECTION INPUT INTO EC TRANSPORT POLICY

13/10/2005

Two key European Commissioners have been asked to examine an alternative to a White Paper on transport, currently used as a basis for policy by the Commissioner for Transport.

ERA President Antonis Simigdalas has asked Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for the Environment, and Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, to look at ERA's "A Vision for European Air Transport" as a better starting point for wider policy decisions than the Commission's own "European Transport Policy: A Time to Decide" - published in 2001 - which needs re-examination.

Wrote Mr. Simigdalas: "Undisrupted continuation of air services is seriously threatened by the unexpected effects of various European regulations.

"The European Commission does not adequately take into account all the interests concerning quality of air transport connections between Europe's regions."

He pointed out the Association's belief that rail networks are unfairly supported by huge subsidies through the wrongful perception that they are environmentally friendlier, adding: "In today's world, the speed of transporting passengers, urgent cargo and mail with fares that do not burden State budgets is vital of achieving economic policy."

The ERA President wants Association leaders to meet with environmental and consumer protection Commissioners to co-operate with them in areas of air transport policy regulation that impact their specialisations.

He wrote that both he and the Association: "Are at your disposal and ready to work together to create a European network which will be efficient, economical, environmentally responsible and internationally competitive."