A "second package" of proposed legislation to reinforce and accelerate the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) will be presented by the second quarter of this year, according the European Commission.
This is needed, it says, because "during the implementation process and as a result of a changing environment, a number of weaknesses with the current legislation have been identified", and this has allowed states to delay the implementation of essential objectives.
In its "First Report on the implementation of the Single Sky Legislation", the Commission promises: "On the basis of this review of the implementation of the SES and in line with the conclusions of the Performance Review Commission and the High Level Group, the Commission will come forward, in the second quarter of 2008, with concrete proposals for a second Single Sky package, the extension of EASA competencies and the SESAR master plan."
The EC's framework regulation foresees performance review of air navigation service providers, saying that "data gathering will commence and benchmarking [be] established in 2008". The regulatory agency also predicts a system for peer review of ANSP supervisory authorities in early 2008 "to ensure a uniform level of safety and even application of the common requirements".
Airspace redesign for the SES has fallen well behind the planned timetable, says the Commission, so the Second Package of legislation will mandate Eurocontrol to push ahead the establishment of a European upper flight information region, reclassification of lower airspace, and common principles for route and sector design.
The intention is to accelerate the adoption of functional airspace blocks (FAB) to replace the existing system based on national borders, a measure considered critical to SES success.
The Commission comments: "A number of FAB initiatives are under way but are progressing slowly...Most initiatives are still at the 'feasibility stage' with only one preparing to move to the implementation phase."
Significantly, the Commission insists that "instead of framing innovative mechanisms to exercise sovereignty, [the FAB issue] has been used as a showstopper by those who wish to resist enhanced crossborder co-operation and integration".
Source: FlightGlobal.com
