The European Commission started a collective infringement procedure, sending letters of formal notice to 18 Member States, for their failure to keep their commitments in realising the “Single European Sky” – the program for turning national system for air traffic management into a common system. The reorganisation of air spaces, according to the project, should go from the current twenty-eight spaces (one for each Member State) to an integrated system of eight macro-areas, called FABs – Functional Airspace Blocks, allowing the creation of a more integrated market. All EU Member States should have implemented their FABs by 4 December 2012, but none of them was operative at the date. This delay was far than appreciated by Commissioner Kallas who, after warnings and statements, has decided to open an infringment procedure against Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and United Kingdom.
The FAB between Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta (BLUEMED FAB) is still being formally established, whilst the State Agreements establishing the FAB between Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia (FABCE), the FAB between Bulgaria and Romania (DANUBE FAB), the FAB between Lithuania and Poland (BALTIC FAB), and the FAB between Spain and Portugal (SOUTHWEST FAB), and the UK/IRELAND FAB have come into force.
“Right now these common airspaces exist only on paper,” lamented Kallas, “they are formally established but not yet functional. I urge Member States to step up their ambitions and push forward the implementation of the Single Sky.” Functional Blocks, added Kallas, “are a necessary, vital component of the Single European Sky.”
Actual progress on these FABs’ airspace reorganisations and on the effectiveness of their air navigation services has been slow. This means more delays, the consumption of more fuel and therefore more GHG emissions, and more money charged to airlines. The European Commission estimated about five billion euro a year in losses, and with these letters of formal notice it asked Member States to act in order to optimise the implementation of FABs and air navigation services. Now, the 18 Member States have two months to react and send their considerations. On this basis the European Commission may or may not issue a Reasoned Opinion.
