WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1170/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. General aviation
C 402/86 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 (98/C 402/109) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1170/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: General aviation Given that the number of airfields available for general aviation use is decreasing, will the Commission undertake a feasibility study of satellite airports which could be built throughout the EU to cope with the continued demand and growth of general aviation? Joint answer to Written Questions E-1168/98 and E-1170/98 given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1998) There is no Community legislation related to general aviation (GA) facilities at aerodromes, and it is therefore for local authorities to make whatever provision they think appropriate for such facilities. national or The Commission sympathises with the pressure on GA and its aerodromes, but considers that, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, intervention would at this time be inappropriate. While the Commission has no plans to undertake any feasibility studies on the provision of satellite airports for GA, the Commission does have regular contact with the business aviation industry to ensure that the sectorís voice is heard and their interests taken into account. (98/C 402/110) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1169/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: General aviation Within the Single Market, there are considerable economic advantages for centres of population in having their own aerodrome which caters for business aircraft. What action will the Commission take to encourage and facilitate the emergence of new satellite airports, especially in the United Kingdom where there are only 143 licensed airports while France has four times as many? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1998) The Commission recognises the economic potential offered by general aviation (GA) aerodrome facilities, including accessibility, employment, and the initial training of future pilots. Activities to facilitate the development of GA facilities are, however, a matter for national and local authorities who are in the best position to assess need for and implications of such provision