CANSO to cooperate with A4E to improve European ATM

Representing Europe’s air navigation service providers (ANSPs), the Civil Air Navigation Services Operation (CANSO) has confirmed its agreement to work alongside Airlines for Europe (A4E) to improve Europe’s air traffic management (ATM) network in the future. Initially, the two organizations will aim to obtain a common understanding of the technical, operational, regulatory and legal issues related to industrial action in the European ATM network. After a period of six months A4E and CANSO will evaluate the progress made in addressing the issues which will be of a pan-European nature.
Additionally, both A4E and CANSO will embrace the intention of the European Commission to make specific recommendations to European governments in relation to the efforts made by the two organizations.
According to Martin Rolfe, CEO NATS and Chair CANSO Europe: “CANSO is ready to engage in a collaborative and productive relationship that achieves the objectives of a reliable air transport system, enabling passengers and businesses to enjoy the full benefits of free movement by air in Europe. CANSO recognizes the right to strike of European citizens and, while we would have preferred a different tone and approach to the A4E campaign, we fully recognize that industrial action in some countries has had a significant impact on airline operations over the past few years. CANSO Members share our customers’ determination to reduce any disruption to the travelling public and deliver real benefits to consumers. CANSO Members have worked hard to establish a well-defined culture of consultation and negotiation in cases where there are diverging opinions and potential for industrial action to occur. As a result, most ANSPs and their social partners have successfully avoided industrial action or managed the action to reduce the impact on the travelling public.”
“CANSO and its members are key to maintaining a reliable air transport network in Europe. We welcome the clear position they are taking and appreciate that a large majority of ANSPs and their social partners have experienced no industrial action for a significant period of time. Our Free Movement Call for Action campaign proposes a menu of measures which we believe provide a good basis to address the impact of industrial action on consumers and businesses. We will continue to work proactively on the campaign which has been a top priority for us since the launch of A4E,” said Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe.