newstodate.aero
Oct 01, 2010 (newstodate): The EU Commission is considering an impact assessment on the potential benefits of a revision of the Directive 96/67 concerning access to ground handling markets with a view of modernizing and clarifying the regulatory framework.
In 1996, the Ground handling Directive established a partial liberalization of this market with the view to decrease ground handling services prices and increase quality for passengers.
The Directive requires member states to ensure that the market in ground handling services is open, so that any service provider can supply services at any European airport handling more than two million passengers or 50,000 tons of freight a year.
Member States can choose to limit the number of providers to a minimum of two in four categories of services: baggage, ramp, freight and post, and fuel and oil.
Reality shows, however, says the EU Commission that parts of the market are still restricted, resulting in airlines and passengers possibly having to pay more than they should.
In addition, stakeholders have raised concerns about the side effects of the Directive in terms of safety, security and employment.
A revision of the current Directive could be part of the "Airport package" which is scheduled for release in June 2011.
In 1996, the Ground handling Directive established a partial liberalization of this market with the view to decrease ground handling services prices and increase quality for passengers.
The Directive requires member states to ensure that the market in ground handling services is open, so that any service provider can supply services at any European airport handling more than two million passengers or 50,000 tons of freight a year.
Member States can choose to limit the number of providers to a minimum of two in four categories of services: baggage, ramp, freight and post, and fuel and oil.
Reality shows, however, says the EU Commission that parts of the market are still restricted, resulting in airlines and passengers possibly having to pay more than they should.
In addition, stakeholders have raised concerns about the side effects of the Directive in terms of safety, security and employment.
A revision of the current Directive could be part of the "Airport package" which is scheduled for release in June 2011.