The European Commission should focus on the Single Sky air
traffic control reforms to enhance the competitive positioning of European
aviation, according to a group of industry executives.
Convened to offer strategic advice to EC transport vice
president Siim Kallas, the Aviation Platform's 15 airline, airport, air traffic
control and labor leaders said politicians must ensure full implementation of
Single Sky, create an effective governance structure for the planned technology
arm (to be called the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) and
extend Single Sky principles beyond European Union borders.
In their first meeting, the industry leaders also
recommended that the Commission facilitate through bilateral agreements entry
by Europe's airlines into new markets and create a high-level group on aviation
research.
Established after the volcanic ash disruptions, the Aviation
Platform is expected to meet with Kallas twice a year. Members include top
executives from Air France-KLM, British Airways, easyJet, LOT Polish Airlines,
Lufthansa, Airbus parent EADS, Airports Council International-Europe, labor
union leaders and others.