Translation of "Réglementation du trafic aérien " (French → English) :

The adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the first package of the single European sky legislation, namely, Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of 10 March 2004 laying down the framework for the creation of the single European sky (the framework Regulation) (4), Regulation (EC) No 550/2004 of 10 March 2004 on the provision of air navigation services in the single European sky (the service provision Regulation) (5), Regulation (EC) No 551/2004 of 10 March 2004 on the organisation and use of the airspace in the single European sky (the airspace Regulation) (6), and Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of 10 March 2004 on the interoperability of the European air traffic managemen ...[+++]t network (the interoperability Regulation) (7) laid down a firm legal basis for a seamless, interoperable and safe air traffic management (ATM) system.

7. Implementing rules for air traffic flow management, including the necessary oversight arrangements, shall be developed in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 5(2) of the framework Regulation and adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 5(3) of the framework Regulation, with a view to optimising available capacity in the use of airspace and enhancing air traffic flow management processes.

Together with two other recently adopted Regulations relating to the Single European Sky, the recently published Directive on a Community air traffic controller licence, the launch of the SESAR programme to modernise air traffic management systems and the extension of the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency, the Regulation represents a concrete contribution to increased safety in aviation and in transcending national borders in European air traffic management.

- CONGESTION AND CRISIS IN AIR TRAFFIC IN EUROPE - COUNCIL RESOLUTION "THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Considering that air traffic management is of vital importance for the development of European air transport; Considering that air transport has a key role to play in economic development and strengthening social cohesion, providing swift and efficient links between regions and in particular in making peripheral and island regions accessible; Considering that air traffic congestion imposes serious losses and inconvenience both for airlines and creates economic obstacles for air traffic within the European Union, while causing incon ...[+++]venience for users in general; Considering that such congestion is aggravated seasonally and for given traffic flows and that saturation of the air space and reduction of available capacity are two of the primary causes of this congestion; Considering that an unexpected or unplanned loss of civil air traffic control capacity over an extended period can lead to a crisis; Considering that better utilization of available capacity could reduce congestion and prove useful in cutting costs; Considering that the Council, in its Resolution 89/C189/02 of 18 July 1989 and in its conclusions of 29 March 1990 and 7 December 1992, addressed air traffic system capacity problems, calling for an effort to make progress towards their possible solution; Considering that Directive 93/65 of 19 July 1993 dealt with the definition and utilization of compatible technical specifications for the procurement of air-traffic-management equipment and systems; Considering the communication from the Commission on congestion and crisis in air traffic presented to the Council on 4 September 1995; Considering the vital role in air traffic management and organization played by such international organizations as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Civil Aviation Commission (ECAC) and the European Organization for the Safety of Air ...

It seems that one of the easier fixes would be to impose some regulation on the air traffic in the community.

The European Commission has therefore proposed a series of measures which will allow the European network to cope with increasing pressure: - creation of a centralized air flow management system to coordinate the existing independent units - technical harmonisation to improve communication, technical compatibility and training - efforts by member states to allow some of the airspace reserved for military purposes to be made available for civilian use - Community coordination of airport infrastructure planning with possibility of Community financial support and a better dialogue between airports and their users - research into the development of a fully integrated and automated system for air traffic ...[+++] management throughout European air space Improving the traffic flow A centralised air traffic management system for European airspace is essential, in the view of the Commission, since the present network of national air traffic control centres is ill-suited to managing the growing volume of traffic.