A new directive aimed at ensuring high standards of safety on non-EU aircraft using Community airports was signed last night by the European Parliament and European Council.
The directive provides for a harmonised approach for checking that non-EU aircraft using Community airports comply fully with internationally agreed safety standards. Any aircraft can be checked on a random basis.
One of the key provisions requires that information obtained from checks be shared with the European Commission, Member States and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Any measures taken by one member state, such as flying restrictions or the imposition of conditions of operation, may be extended across the European Union.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, who holds the presidency of the Office of the Council of EU Transport Ministers, announcing the agreement late last night said: "I would like to underline that the effectiveness of any Directive depends to a very large extent on its full legal implementation by the Member States.
"This Directive must be implemented within two years after formal approval by the Council and by the European Parliament. I cannot overstate the importance of this Directive and I would urge the Member States to take all necessary measures to ensure its full implementation within this deadline or even sooner.
An annual report analysing the information received and indicating where there is an increased safety risk to air travellers will be published by the European Commission and will be available to the public.
The negotiations between Council and European Parliament were conducted against the backdrop of the aviation accident early this month at Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt involving Flash Air.