Europe's Transport Chief Calls on States to Stop Blocking SES

The implementation of the Single Europe Sky project could save up to 10 percent of CO2 emissions across the region by modernizing air traffic management.

Eurocontrol's functional airspace blocks for the Single European Sky concept. — Airline bosses say European Union member states are stalling progress on the Eurocontrol-led Single European Sky air traffic modernization project. (Image: Eurocontrol)

By Cathy Buyck • Contributor - Europe

December 5, 2022

Airlines have commended EU transport commissioner Adina Vălean for taking a clear stance on the urgent need to progress the long-delayed Single European Sky Project (SES) during the meeting of the EU’s transport ministers on Monday in Brussels. Besides Vălean, Spain, Ireland, Finland, and Malta openly urged fellow states to stop blocking progress of the SES, which is intended to make air traffic management more efficient. “It’s long past time for talking and it is disgraceful that some member states continue to block a European solution that would unlock up to a ten percent reduction in aviation emissions while also advocating for flight bans and for tearing up the successful single aviation market,” commented Thomas Reynaert, managing director at airline trade body Airlines for Europe (A4E).

“Commissioner Vălean has it right when she says that a ban on flights under 500 kilometers would deliver less for the environment than implementing SES2+,” he added. “Member states have an obligation to stop putting national interests ahead of European interests and deliver for European passengers, European airlines, and, most importantly, the planet.”

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