The European Parliament debated the failure to create a Single European Sky, which would effectively unite Europe's 35 air navigation service providers into one. Aircrafts are taking unnecessary detours to save on air traffic control fees.
Airlines in Europe are currently running at a 7% distance inefficiency, owing to the practice whereby aircraft fly around countries which charge higher fees for the use of their air traffic control services. The cost of failing to create a Single European Sky through functional airspace blocks amounts to € 1 billion.
Speaking today Robert Evans MEP, member of the European Parliament's Transport Committe said:
"A single European Sky has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12 million tonnes every year. It is a vital step towards protecting the environment in a time of ever-increasing air travel. Getting airlines into the Emissions Trading Scheme is also vital but we must seek policy coherence, and attack this crisis from all angles."
"Climate change is happening now. We can't afford to wait to make this type of change, which will result in a sizeable reduction in carbon emissions at no recognisable cost."
"The current system places a financial burden on passengers and airlines. European air space is divided into an unnecessary and complex map of 27 different regions, resulting in chaotic and environmentally harmful air time. The Single European Sky is the solution to this chaos".
Ends.
For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.
