EC reports on EX-YU air transport progress

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The European Commission (EC) has today published its annual progress reports for those aspiring to join the European Union, giving an assessment of what each candidate and potential candidate has achieved over the last year, as well as a set of guidelines on reform priorities. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia received largely positive reviews from the commission in the field of air transport, which is contained within the chapter on transport policy. Notably, the EC expressed concern for the subsidies Macedonia is providing to airlines, noted that inquiries into Air Serbia’s compliance with the ‘effective control’ requirements in the European Common Aviation Agreement (ECAA) are ongoing and was critical of Kosovo's progress in the aviation field.

The following is the full report on air transport for each:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Regarding air transport, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Navigation Services Agency has — in full coordination with EUROCONTROL — taken over control of the lower level of the country’s airspace from Serbian and Croatian air traffic control service providers. Bosnia and Herzegovina participates as an observer in the Joint Service Provision Area Initiative.

Kosovo 

On air transport, the incorporation of the first-phase requirements for the European Common Aviation Area Agreement into domestic legislation is nearly complete, pending alignment of the labour law with the acquis on working time. The Kosovo Civil Aviation Authority is still not part of the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft programme as no board members have been appointed since September 2013. There was no progress on implementing the law on the air navigation services agency. Implementing legislation still needs to be adopted to ensure professional air navigation and safety services. The air navigation service provider does not meet the safety and financial criteria required for certification.

Macedonia

The Law on Contractual and Real Rights Relations in Air Transport was amended, bringing national legislation further into line with the acquis. The 2013-2018 national aviation strategy was amended to allow the establishment of a national airline carrier. Concerns remain over financial incentives granted to air operators to apply requirements under phase I of the European Common Aviation Agreement. The technical and administrative capacity of the air navigation services provider was strengthened. The aviation investigation, accidents and incidents body needs to be more transparent. The country actively participates in the Joint Service Provisional Area (JSPA) initiative.

Montenegro

On air transport, Montenegro further aligned with the acquis over the rights of disabled and reduced mobility persons and the rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in case of delays or cancelation. Montenegro adopted several rulebooks further aligning with acquis on traffic and airport management. The ‘One-stop-security’ project, managed by the European Civil Aviation Agency, was successfully completed in December.

Serbia

On air transport, the revised list of air carriers subject to an operating ban in the EU was adopted in January. The Serbian European Aviation Safety Agency and Civil Aviation Directorate agreed on a new working arrangement in May. Further alignment with the acquis on accident investigation and working time is required. Inquiries into Air Serbia’s compliance with the ‘effective control’ requirements in the European Common Aviation Agreement (ECAA) are ongoing. The administrative capacity of the Civil Aviation Directorate requires strengthening to fulfil the obligations of the ECAA Agreement. Serbia actively participates as an observer in the Joint Service Provisional Area initiative.