Low-cost airlines want shake-up of EU air traffic control
27.03.08
The European Low Fares Airline Association, a group representing European low-cost airlines, has called for a broad shake-up of the way that air traffic is managed in Europe's crowded skies, citing big gains for the environment and consumers if the plans were adopted.
Europe's airspace is currently managed by a patchwork of national authorities which means that air routes are often determined by national boundaries rather than the most direct course from one point to another.
The association called for the creation by 2010 of a single European aviation authority that would handle both traffic management and safety issues. Under their plan, the new authority would incorporate existing national authorities as its regional offices.
Ryanair chief executive and founding member of the European Low Fares Airline Association, Michael O'Leary accused national and EU authorities of stalling on plans to reform Europe's air traffic management. He said: ‘The EU's Single European Sky project has been gathering dust for over 10 years because those responsible for the gross inefficiency of the system are dragging their heels.'
‘European air traffic management inefficiency caused a scandalous 21 million minutes of flight delays in 2007. Removing this inefficiency would equate to eliminating the emissions of 70 short-haul aircraft operating non-stop for a year. It would deliver massive benefits to consumers and to the environment.'
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book gatwick airport hotels or gatwick airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great gatwick airport parking and gatwick airport hotels price comparison pages.
