SECURITY
EBAA is involved in on-going security discussions both at national level with key Member States authorities and at European level with the European Commission and ECAC. EBAA is also leading the policy debate in view of the adoption of security rules for Business Aviation operations in Europe.
The EBAA has recently published 2 publications explaining the needs and the association’s position on security. They are at your disposal at the secretariat.
ENVIRONMENT
The European Commission has proposed a Directive on the introduction of aviation in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). Although EBAA accepts this measure, we propose an exemption for Business Aviation based on its low level of emissions and the fact that the large majority of the estimated 1500 Business Aviation operators in Europe have a very small dimension (less than 5 aircraft). EBAA takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and is currently preparing a voluntary carbon offset scheme for those operators exempted from ETS.
EBAA is therefore involved in the regulatory discussions in the different forums and especially with European Commission, Member States and European Parliament to communicate our position and explain the specific characteristics of our sector. EBAA regularly coordinates its actions with other aviation associations to optimize its lobbying capacity on those issues supported by the rest of the aviation industry.
SINGLE EUROPEAN SKY AND EUROCONTROL
The main objective of the Single European Sky (SES) is to dramatically change the European ATM by 2020. The European Commission & Eurocontrol funded the SESAR project which is currently discussing and preparing the Master Plan for the ATM in 2020. EBAA is currently participating in the new ATM concept of operations design which will start being deployed in the coming years and will have a fundamental impact on the way Business Aviation access airspace and airports in the coming years.
EBAA has a seat in the Board of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, the new agency created by the Commission to drive the development and implementation of the new ATM Master Plan.
EBAA is also actively participating in the on-going Commission initiatives to drastically revise the allocation of political and regulatory powers at the European level to allow for the real integration of European ATM.
Additionally, EBAA closely follows Eurocontrol’s policies and programmes including the navigation charges and overall ATM cost in Europe. This involvement in the different ATM forums will empower our association to ensure that tomorrow’s airspace is more economic and more accessible than today.
ACCESS
The sharp traffic increases we are currently witnessing in both Business Aviation and airline activity bring enormous opportunities but are also starting to create serious challenges for our ability to access a growing number of key airports in Europe.
EBAA considers this matter as one of its main priorities and is working on a number of regulatory developments, especially regarding airport slot allocation and general aviation to ensure that access rules put Business Aviation at the same level as airlines. EBAA is also lobbying authorities to improve the access and operational situation at a number of key airports around Europe where operational conditions are deteriorating.
To increase public awareness of Business Aviation value to the community, EBAA is working on a Business Aviation Economic Impact study which will support our political campaigns on many key issues.
SAFETY
The recent establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the transition from JAA to EASA has created another major challenge for aviation stakeholders and for the Business Aviation sector. EASA has adopted new fees and charges for certification activities which will have a direct economic impact on operators and manufacturers. EBAA is actively involved in the regulatory activities of EASA regarding commercial and general aviation operations.
In addition, EASA has launched a number of Working Groups which are currently preparing new operational rules for both commercial and non-commercial operations. EBAA actively contributes to these and other ad-hoc working groups to ensure that both corporate and commercial Business Aviation operators in Europe enjoy a performance-based, coherent, fully harmonized set of rules at European level in the coming years.
OUTSIDE EUROPE
Aviation is a global market regulated by an ever increasing number of bilateral agreements which are today negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of EU Member States. EBAA on one hand participates in the Commission negotiations with key third countries around the world and on the other hand has set up direct negotiations with Business Aviation industry in the United States with the objective to negotiate agreements on specific issues which are ultimately recommended to authorities of both sides of the Atlantic.
EBAA also has direct contact with US authorities on different subjects such as security and market access to improve the operational conditions and create a level playing field for our members.
18th December 2007