The European Parliament has backed an updated EU-US agreement on Transatlantic flights that commits both sides to increased environmental standards.
The EU and US aviation markets currently account for about 60% of world air traffic and the new deal will ensure flight operators strive to limit or reduce their environmental impact.
In the agreement both sides declare an intention to work together to curb “in an economically reasonable manner" the impact of international aviation on the environment. In the joint statement, both parties commit to try to limit or reduce aircraft noise and limit or reduce the impact of aviation emissions on air quality and the global climate.
The agreement will also boost research and development of environmentally friendly aviation technology, facilitate air traffic management innovations and develop sustainable alternative aviation fuels.
The accord extends the role of the EU-US Joint Committee, the body that oversees implementation of the agreement. The Joint Committee will be able to recommend new initiatives, such as new security procedures, and evaluate the effects of existing legislation, including social legislation.
As soon as the US laws permit majority ownership of its airlines by EU nationals, the EU will allow the same for US nationals, states the new agreement. In addition, from that moment US passenger airlines will have the right to fly direct between the EU and five other countries without serving the US. Those countries will be determined later by the Joint Committee, which may enlarge the list.
Meanwhile, once the Commission has gained legal powers to review noise-based airport operating restrictions, EU passenger airlines will be allowed to fly direct between the US and five non-EU countries. These will be determined later by the Joint Committee, which may enlarge the list.
