Press Release: The Commission welcomes today’s political endorsement by the Council of the Single European Sky package

After the positive vote in the European Parliament last week, the Transport Ministers confirmed on March 30, 2009, the agreement reached on a far reaching aviation package. This package, which will be formally adopted by the Council in the weeks to come, strengthens the Single European Sky, makes the European Aviation Safety Agency responsible for all safety links of the aviation chain and boosts the implementation of new technologies. As a package, these measures will deliver safer, greener and more cost-efficient flights. Annual savings for the airlines is calculated around four billion euros. At the same time the ATM Master Plan will put the European manufacturing industry at the forefront of innovation in air traffic management technology, thus delivering a performing European infrastructure and giving manufacturers a competitive edge on global markets.