1 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate EU Directive on Airport Charges Background and content

2 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate A consistent Community Aviation Policy Point of departure: EC’s overall objectives  To overcome fragmentation through a Single Aviation Market which guarantees full access without discrimination  To ensure the proper functioning of the Single Market through common rules and standards  To attain an efficient and sustainable air transport system

3 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Single Market Based on High Common EU Standards   The EU occupies the ground with common rules in most relevant areas of aviation:  Licenses, fares, market access (1992)  Air passenger rights ( )  CRS (1989)  Noise ( )  Safety (2002 [EASA] [SAFA] [Black list ] )  Insurance (2004)  Including Airports:  Allocation of slots ( )  Groundhandling (1996)  Security ( Implementing Rules)  ATM - Single European Sky (2004) – SESAR  Strict competition and state aid rules (EC Treaty)

4 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate To enhance the Community Framework for Airports  Facing the ”capacity crunch”: 2025 could see up to 2.5 times the 2003 traffic In 2025, 60 airports could be heavily congested, and the top 20 airports could be constrained hrs. per day Only 25% of airport would have a possibility to add new runways in the next 20 years There is a need to act at EU level

5 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate  Airport Package: 3 key initiatives Proposal for a Directive on airport charges; Proposal for a Directive on airport charges; Action plan for airport capacity, efficiency & safety in Europe; Action plan for airport capacity, efficiency & safety in Europe; Report on the application of Directive (EC) 96/67 on access to the ground handling market at Community Airports. Report on the application of Directive (EC) 96/67 on access to the ground handling market at Community Airports. Documents available on: The Airport Package

6 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate The Airport Package: Ground Handling and the Action Plan Main objectives of Directive 96/67 reached in most of the Member States (Report 2007) Need to examine more comprehensively the effects of the Directive (Jensen Report) Better use of existing capacities New technologies Intermodality / Comodality Establish an EU Observatory on airport capacity

7 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate The Airport Package: Airport Charges   Airport Charges: Air Carriers complain about:  Monopolistic behaviour by some airports  Lack of transparency and consultation  Difficult to appeal airport charges Airports need legal certainty for new practices: differentiation of charges, volume rebates and environmental charges Competition rules of EU Treaty difficult to apply: difficult to assess whether an airport has a dominant position in the market

8 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges Scope Largest airport per Member State All airports with more than 5 million passengers per year Following services exclusively provided by the airport: Landing and take-off Processing of passengers and freight Lighting and parking

9 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges Non-discriminationModulation to promote public and general interest such as for environmental reasons. Shall be: relevant, objective and transparent Differentiation of services Access based on relevant, objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria

10 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges: Consultation Regular and annual Unless multi-annual agreements between the parties Airport submits its proposal 4 months before entry into force Decision published 2 months before entry into force

11 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges: Transparency Methodology for setting the charges Complete list of all charges and associated revenues and costs Forecasts of charges and traffic Information shall not be distributed to other parties

12 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges: Independent supervisory authority One in each Member State Shall have access to necessary information Appealed modifications do not take immediate effect Interim decision within 4 weeks Decision shall be taken within 4 (+2) months

13 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Airport Charges: Other provisions Airport systems and networks Allows for a common and transparent charging system Consultation on new infrastructure Ensure input from the airlines Service Level Agreements Can be part of the regular consultations

14 Directorate-General for Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Adopted on 11 March After two readings of the European Parliament and the Council Modified elements compared to the Commission proposal – in the scope of application – deletion of security charges – complaint procedures New elements compared to the Commission proposal – common charging systems – modulation of charges The Airport Package: Airport Charges

15 Directorate-General Energy and Transport / Air Transport Directorate Thank You For Your Attention! For more information: eu Or visit: ir/airports/airports_en.htm