During the Airlines 4 Europe Aviation Summit on March 31 in Brussels, the lobby group once again raised the topic of the Single European Sky (SES). And voiced its frustrations over the lack of progress that has been made on improving the efficiency of air traffic management in Europe. Not only for operational reasons but as an easy means to reduce carbon emissions by some ten percent. In conversation: Thomas Reynaert A4E on Europe's lobby. SES has been on the agenda of each of the six A4E Aviation Summits in the past few years but still hasn’t been implemented. AirInsight talked to Managing Director Thomas Reynaert about his frustrations, the lobby for SES, and its alternative strategy presented during the summit to liberalize air traffic management in Europe to improve ATM efficiency. AirInsight – The Single European Sky (SES) has been discussed so many times at your Aviation Summit, but it takes so long. During a panel session, moderator Richard Quest tried to pinpoint who is to blame. Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary says it is the governments of various countries. Why has your constant lobby not been successful? Thomas Reynaert: “Air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are state-owned institutions, they are financed by governments. The urgency for them to change is much lower than in our airline industry, which is privatized.” AirInsight – Climate change isn’t on top of their list… TR: “Apparently not, climate change doesn’t seem to be a key issue for ANSPs. Let’s be clear: in some countries, their unions have a very strong position. If you want to digitalize, which in this sector is an absolute must to make the network more efficient, you are almost instantly met with questions of the opposition. People are afraid to change. You have seen this in other sectors as well. But here, you have to deal with an administration which doesn’t feel the urgency to change.” AirInsight – Notably in France and Germany… TR – “Not only there. But I am getting more optimistic. I notice there is a more modern attitude from certain providers in Europe who acknowledge that it’s no option to continue the way they do. That they have to adapt to what their customers or end-users want, which are the airlines.” AirInsight – Is the call from Michael O’Leary during your press conference for liberalization of air traffic management and more competition a serious one, or is it just typically O’Leary? TR – “Certainly not. Digitalization should bring optimization of the entire ATM system in Europe. This will lead to a shift of priorities. Digitalization will make air space control across borders much easier. It can be more easily been done by a single provider. We see it happening already in other areas, like meteorological services, where providers can compete with others in other countries. We want the same for air traffic management, especially on international, cross-border flights. We want competition, but in a positive way.” AirInsight – But isn’t it frustrating that even European Transport Commissioner, Adina Valean, said that the Single European Sky was her top priority when she entered office, but she too, is meeting resistance and opposition. TR – “Indeed.” AirInsight – It is the governments, the stakeholders, the shareholders, who block its implementation? TR – “Europe is Europe. It isn’t a perfect federal system. Unfortunately, it is quasi-federal. The European Commission can make proposals with the best intentions together with us, but it is the European Parliament and the European Council, the member states, who have to approve jurisdiction. That’s where things get blocked, as has happened with this topic. But it is also about a fundamental change of the mindset of ANSPs to modernize. Not just from a technological point of view, but also from their mindset. Their employers should realize that it can’t continue like this.” AirInsight – Do you see something positive, or are we here again next year, discussing the same frustrations? TR – “I think something positive is happening, also under time pressure. As soon as the post-pandemic situation will change and air traffic will normalize, also after the crisis in Ukraine, there will be pent-up demand for air travel. Demand will get a huge boost, which will result in the current ATM system getting under immense pressure. Some countries will have no option but to change, not just from the technological point of view but also on the number of staff needed.” AirInsight – But also from a climate point of view, as Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said today but already mentioned during a previous Aviation Summit: improved air traffic management saves ten percent in fuel and emissions. TR – “Yes, it’s a win-win situation. The integrated Single European Sky will allow us to fly more efficiently, resulting in fewer emissions thanks to shorter routes, less fuel burn, and less carbon dioxide emissions. That’s positive for airlines. Europe has already invested billions in ATM improvements, but the full implementation is simply missing because of the lack of political willingness and stakeholders who want to block changes on a national level. But the technology is ready and can be implemented today, even without changing the legal framework.”
