EUROPE. A major breakthrough is imminent on the aviation security issue. The European Union is preparing to waive its requirement for bi-lateral agreements with other states, replacing it with a much simpler scheme, based around unilateral recognition of other states’ aviation security regimes.
It means a lasting solution to the problem of confiscations of liquids from transfer passengers in the EU could be in place by the summer.
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Frank O’Connell: positive and significant progress on the transfer crisis Photo: Cannes Dailies |
European Travel Retail Council President Frank O’Connell told The Moodie Report: “This is very positive and significant progress towards solving the transfer problem. It sidesteps the need for complex political agreements and brings it to a technical level between states.”
The move requires an amendment to current aviation security regulations, which should be agreed by the EU Commission’s Aviation Security Committee on 30 May. If adopted, states could immediately apply to join a list of EU partner countries through a much more simple process than striking a full bi-lateral agreement.
The EU is likely to seek some basic criteria among states it approves, including the adoption of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards, which many countries are already introducing.
“It’s a very creative pragmatic approach from the Commission, on which they should be complemented” said O’Connell. “It has fast become a major issue that they had to solve. The European Parliament has become involved, we’ve driven it to the top of the agenda through our meetings with Commission President Barroso, plus the member states have been demanding action because of the level of confiscations among their citizens.”
Campaigners believe the EU would quickly and unilaterally accept the aviation security regimes of most non-EU states, including – crucially – those states with major hub airports serving EU destinations. Once accepted, passengers from those states could transfer through EU airports with their liquids purchases without fear of confiscation.
But O’Connell said there was still work to be done before the breakthrough could be acclaimed as a final solution by the industry.
“In non-EU states over the next six weeks it’s important that airports and retailers talk to their governments and ensure they contact the EU, saying they’d like to solve this issue. Once it’s passed it’s likely the EU will priorities the countries it wants to strike agreements with, so those that have done the groundwork – like Singapore which has been very active already – would be top of the queue.”
He added: “To ensure the agreements are struck swiftly it’s also important that states can show that they have all of the ICAO standards in place, plus the documentation that goes with that. Airports and retailers can play a part in this.”
One issue that has yet to be worked out is that of countries that have no air services agreement with the EU, such as Japan. “From an ETRC point of view we would speak to the Commission to see if they could be similarly pragmatic towards these countries on this issue,” said O’Connell.
There is also no agreement yet with the US on aviation security. O’Connell said: “With the singing of the Open Skies agreement on 30 April it clears the way for an agreement on air transport issues. But we’re also talking to the EU Commission about reaching a technical agreement with the US that accepts the mutual application of the ICAO regulations. I’m hopeful there will be something in place by mid-June.”
MORE ON THE AVIATION SECURITY CRISIS
Singapore issues LAGs guidelines as 8 May deadline looms for new security measures – 10/04/07
Aviation security update: ICAO issues critical new letter to civil aviation authorities – 02/04/07
Australian off-airport duty free gains last-minute liquid reprieve – 30/03/07
