WRITTEN QUESTION P-2191/99 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Drinking on planes.
C 170 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) Following the Amsterdam Declaration on sport, the Commission initiated a process of reflection on the development of and prospects for Community action in the area of sport. This consultation exercise was brought to a conclusion with the organisation of the European Union Conference on Sport in Olympia (Greece) in May 1999. On the basis of the conclusions of this Conference in particular, the Commission adopted a report on sport on 1 December 1999 (1), which was forwarded to the Helsinki European Council. The report proposes strengthening the social and educational dimensions of sport at all levels, primarily in sporting organisations, but also in national and European bodies. This consolidation also involves establishing a stable legal environment for sport that takes account of both the economic dimension of sport and certain characteristics of sporting activities that give them their particularity. In the document that it submitted for the Intergovernmental Conference, the Commission considered that, as things stand, the time has not yet come to raise the question of including sport in the EC Treaty. The Commission has a Sportí unit in the Directorate-General for Education and Culture. This unit could be expanded depending on developments concerning Community action in the area of sport. (1) COM(1999) 644 final. (2000/C 170 E/183) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2191/99 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Drinking on planes In some EU Member States there have been a number of cases of in-flight disturbances being caused by people who have been drinking heavily. Such incidents can actually jeopardise flight safety. Is the Commission aware of this situation? Does it intend to take any action on the issue of alcohol consumption on commercial flights? Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1999) The Commission is aware of the safety problems caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol on aeroplanes. The Commission, in collaboration with the national authorities and the parties concerned, is considering what measures could be taken to deal with this relatively recent development. Possible measures include, first and foremost, increasing the number of flight attendants and giving them special training. It is they, under the authority of the pilot-in-command, who are responsible for safety in the cabin. It is therefore important that they be properly trained to deal with aggressive behaviour. Recommendations could also be made to the carriers regarding the amount of alcohol distributed on board, especially during long haul flights. The Commission will address the problem and present possible solutions in a communication on passenger protection which it plans to adopt after extensive consultation of the parties concerned