EU Matters

World Business Partners & Airports: Engaging for Mutual Benefit

World Business Partners & Airports: Engaging for Mutual Benefit

The ACI World Business Partner (WBP) programme was rebooted at the beginning of 2010, with coordination moving from ACI WORLD to each of the ACI regions. ACI EUROPE has made gains in reconnecting with former WBPs and broadening the membership of the programme, all the while seeking to improve the value it offers members. Donagh Cagney & Ross Falconer report.

A unified transport network: European Commission proposes revision of TEN-T guidelines

On 19 October, the European Commission adopted a proposal to transform the existing patchwork of European roads, railways, airports and canals into a new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The new policy follows a major two-year consultation involving Member States, regions and stakeholders, and establishes a Core Transport Network to be established by 2030. Ross Falconer reports.

EU and Russia – is liberalisation finally within reach?

An EU-Russia Action Plan proposed in 2006 promised cooperation on safety, security and training, a generic commitment to liberalisation of market access as well as access for Russian aviation to EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and EIB (European Investment Bank) financing facilities. However, some unresolved issues, including the EU designation clause and Siberian over-flight issue, have prevented its implementation.The recent EU-Russia Aviation Summit was the opportunity to renew the motivation for closer relations. Robert O’Meara & Ross Falconer report.

Prelude to the Airport Package: What’s in the box?

Early this year, EC Vice President in charge of Transport Siim Kallas, announced that he would release an ‘Airport Package’ of regulatory measures concerning airports in the EU. ACI EUROPE has been tracking this development with keen interest since the announcement and all is due to be revealed before the end of the year. Robert O’Meara reports.

Water Management Workshop

The management and treatment of water within the environs of airports remains an important topic, and one that is of particular concern to the communities within which individual airports operate. In light of this, ACI EUROPE organised a free workshop on the subject at its Brussels headquarters on 15 September. The workshop addressed both the issue of water quality and the fact that water is a scarce resource.