The European Commission is considering a new round of legislation to ensure European Member states stick to the deadlines agreed in the Single European Sky programme. According to Matthew Baldwin, Director, Aviation - International Transport Policy, at the European Commission, “Primarily legislation may not be necessary”, he said, “but if we face continuing challenges we will come with an SES 111 package if all other avenues are blocked off.” A good time to review progress will come at the Limassol Single European Sky conference in October.

Matthew Baldwin was speaking at the 2012 ATC Global conference which brought together ATM industry leaders from around the world to debate the progress the industry is making towards developing next-generation air traffic management programmes.  World-leading conference organiser UBM Live, part of UBM plc, has published the edited proceedings from the event, which highlighted the enablers and the blockers to achieving future required improvements in safety, capacity, economic and environmental performance in different parts of the world.

The proceedings highlight the contrasting challenges facing ATM leaders in North America and Europe and from other areas of the world.  Gao Yi, Deputy Director General, Air Transport Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Administration of China spoke of the huge reforms in the country,  with seven new 40-workstation equipped centres being built in the next two years.