Commissioner Bulc Talks Future of Airports in Europe

Speaking during the Airport Council International (ACI) annual congress in Prague, Transport Commissioner for the European Commission Violeta Bulc discussed the current Aviation Package.

Airports have a substantial impact on the EU economy and its citizens. For example, the sector contributes EUR 88 billion to the EU’s GDP. ACI member airports are responsible, both directly and indirectly, for the employment of over 1.7 million. And airports play a vital role in supporting business, tourism and EU mobility – not to mention connecting Europe to the rest of the world.

The European Commission’s Aviation Package, part of its 2015 Work Programme, aims to further bolster the important position of European airports. According to Transport Commissioner for the European Commission Violeta Bulc, speaking during the recent ACI congress in Prague, the package focuses on three core elements:

1. A strategy for innovation
2. EASA regulations
3. Agreements with third-party countries

"We want to use the Strategy to provide a comprehensive vision for the competitiveness of the EU aviation sector,” said Commissioner Bulc.  “No single or simple solution exists to the challenges facing European Aviation and our airports. However, I am convinced that collective thinking and collaborative work can make a difference and that Europe will be stronger if it speaks with a common voice.”

She specifically noted the urgency in implementing this vision, with European air traffic expected to increase significantly in the coming years and the effect this will have on safety, the environment and mobility.

“Eurocontrol forecasts that by 2035, 12% of the demand will not be accommodated because of the lack of capacity on the ground if no actions are taken,” she said. “In other words, by 2035, if we do nothing we will have 14 million flights, instead of the 16 million that will be required to meet demand."

Of course much is already being done in terms of airport infrastructure and managing costs. For example, EGNOS, a European innovation, is already providing access to numerous secondary and tertiary airports, freeing up more space and slots at Europe’s main airports. At these smaller airports, EGNOS provides huge benefits, as RNP approaches down to LPV enable all weather near-precision approaches without the need for expensive ground equipment. EGNOS is also a suitable backup in cas of ILS maintenance and provides an alternative to rationalise the ground infrastructure, saving costs. The system currently allows 250 feet minima, with the goal of reaching 200 feet minima by the end of the year.

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