Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-03-Speech-3-096"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20000503.6.3-096"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, I would like to congratulate Mr Sterckx on his report. It is the first in a series of reports on aviation which we will be dealing with in the course of this year. We support the development of a European aviation space encompassing all aspects of aviation, ranging from delays to environmental harm. In addition, we think that, at world level, the Union must be able to show a united front on this matter. We also have our doubts regarding the restrictions and automatic responses generated by national sentiment which, to this day, play such a significant role in European aviation. I would like to illustrate this with air traffic control, for example. These national responses and preferences also hamper cooperation, as we recently witnessed in the unfortunate breakdown in cooperation between KLM and Alitalia. We will not protest in cases where liberalisation can help achieve a more effective policy, but it is a pragmatic approach and not a dogmatic one. Indeed, where the interests of public services or the environment so require, we will not hesitate to advocate an active stance on the part of the authorities.
We would also draw attention to the human side of developments within aviation. This is dominated by three issues: firstly safety. We back the setting up of a European Aviation Safety Authority which unites as many countries as possible. Our amendment on widening the scope in this way has been adopted by the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Common standards and inspection agreements boost safety levels. This should not be restricted to the EU. We can and must help improve safety agreements throughout Europe. One is led to believe that lower costs as a result of liberalisation only have benefits. This may be the case for some passengers, but upon examination of recent annual reports of major aviation companies, this conclusion does not immediately follow. Personnel too experience the adverse, social effects of cost reductions. We do not want to let this situation get out of hand, especially when safety issues can be in the balance if, for example, pilots have to fly long hours.
Finally, air fares may seem low, but often the overall interests of the passengers are hardly taken into consideration. It is no fun having to wait for hours because of a delay, on top of which you are likely to miss your connecting flight. It is even less fun if you become the victim of overbooking. Mr Sterckx rather feebly states in his present report that information on these situations must be made available to passengers. A fat lot of good that will do them. Passengers have rights and, more than anything, they have the right to be informed at the time when a problem arises. As I understand it, airports will be installing notice boards this summer on which they will display passenger rights in the event of delays, for example. This is a step in the right direction. It would be better still if the amendment on passengers’ right to information tabled by the Group of the Party of European Socialists were to be adopted in addition. We are always harping on about consumer interests, well, here is one."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples