On Single European Sky, Alitalia, Passenger Rights, and more

Transport is a crucial sector of the European economy, as well as being an intrinsic part of our daily lives. It generates millions of jobs, provides for the delivery of our daily needs and takes us to our holiday destinations, amongst other things. Vice-President of the Commission in charge of Transport, Antonio Tajani, spoke to New Europe’s Editor Alexandros Koronakis about the important dossiers currently handled by DG Transport. After taking on important issues such as the Single European Sky, the Alitalia case, and passenger rights, the Vice- President candidly divulged deeper into the dimensions of problems at the European level including the failed referenda and other issues such as lobbying.

On the Single European Sky

I am optimistic that we will soon have a Single European Sky – Airline companies are in favour, the European Parliament is in favour. The strategy is the same for the Commission and the Council: Single sky before European elections in 2009. Single European Sky is not just about good organisation with the introduction of SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) on air traffic control before 2020.
It’s also about good flight paths. Currently the flight paths zigzag through our skies. With the new air corridors that could be put into place, we will put this zigzagging to an end and have real direct flights. Every flight is at the moment delayed about 15 minutes because of this. Under the new system, this will not only improve, but fuel consumption will also be reduced, while safety will be increased. It is very important for air traffic control, and all companies involved in the sector, as well as the companies involved with technological development.
I am optimistic that we will achieve a Single European Sky, and I think the final agreement will be reached before the European elections. This is very important for Europeans, a step that our citizens stand to gain from. Our main target is the European people, in every decision. Our commitment is to work every day for the benefit of the European people.

On the Alitalia case

We are working at all the history of Alitalia. One has to however distinguish what we're talking about. Firstly we have an ongoing investigation procedure about the bridge loan. This is the first issue; essentially ‘old Alitalia’ history. The other concerns the new company; the story is similar to that of Olympic. The Commission has recently stated itself in favour of a new company in Greece, while it will have to be the old company that will have to return the 850 million Euros of illegal state aid to the Greek state. The Greek solution is the right one as it is in line with community legislation. In the Olympic case the old company will have to sell its some assets to the new company, but not all of the assets. Otherwise, this would essentially be seen as a transfer of assets rather than the creation of an entirely new company. It is not a political issue; it is only a legal issue. There has to be discontinuity. Clear-cut discontinuity.
Likewise the labour contracts will have to be new labour contracts. No old contracts can be transferred to the new company. Of course the same people can be hired, but on the basis of merit, rather than the pre-existing working relation. This will be the way to establish a new company, without the problems and the burden of the previous company.
If discontinuity does not exist, the company will inherit the debts of the old company. This is the situation as it is. For Alitalia we will see what will happen when the time comes. If Italy follows this model, in other words the creation of a new company, than this should comply with community law. Otherwise, it will carry the old company's history, and that comes with the 300 million Euro loan. These are the rules, and we still have to see what Italy is going to come up with. What we know now is what has happened in Greece, where the new company has started on a fresh footing.
Concerning Olympic Airways, there has been constant contact with the Minister of Transport of Greece, and the ministry administration, and this is what has led to the positive result. In this context we have very close contacts with the Italian counterparts, as well as the Undersecretary of State for the Presidency of the Council who is very sensitive to the case. All this gives us good hopes.
On the trans-Siberian flight taxes I met with the Russian ambassador in late July about this matter. We have an agreement with Russia about this matter. All European companies are against these taxes. We are working to have the Russian side respect the agreement set in December 2006 about trans-Siberian flights. It is a very important issue for us.

On the relation between the European Institutions and the citizens of Europe

I was a Member of the European Parliament for 15 years. Good relations between the European institutions and the European people are a primary concern. We had a bad result in the referenda of Ireland, and previously in France, the Netherlands. Why? Perhaps people don’t understand our policies too well - it’s possible. The European Commission understands the problem very well; and the problem is on the table. Our power lies with the people of Europe. The power we have here, is a service to our citizens.

On Passenger Rights

The problem is the same – the Institutions being near the people. I support passenger rights. It is very important to understand passengers’ problems – whether these are at the airport, on the plane, the train, the bus. Young passengers, old passengers, reduced mobility passengers. We introduced new rules for reduced mobility passengers that will provide for a quality leap in the lives of such passengers – precisely the 26th July this year. We are now working for reduced mobility passenger rights in all transport systems. In Europe we have some 127 million that suffer from reduced mobility. This not only includes people with disabilities, but people who have a reduced capacity to travel. We are also working on new security control methods for airports that takes into consideration technological developments. This I hope will change, not in the future, but in the near future. At the moment you cannot freely carry water, perfume, or other liquids. These new security control methods will be better for our citizens, and safer for passengers.

On Lobbying

The work environment of the European Parliament lends itself to lobbying. Indeed one could find quite a few lobbyists there as it is relatively easy to approach a Parliamentarian. My current position as Vice- President and Member of the Commission is however different and people approach the Commission in a different way to that at the Parliament.
The structure of the Commission is also different and much larger. Lobbyists of course also contact our services. Personally I generally prefer to have direct contact with the person or entity I want to speak to, not through intermediaries. If a company wants to speak with me, it’s okay, but without a ‘bridge’.