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Light Aviation Given Voice
Thursday 18 September, 2008
Timothy Kirkhope MEP hosted a Hearing in the European Parliament to discuss the future of General and Business Aviation on Thursday. The EPP-ED event gathered an array of experts and industry representatives, as the Parliament prepares a report on how to improve the regulatory situation for this diverse sector.
Following a Commission Communication, 'An Agenda for Sustainable Future in General and Business Aviation', the Parliament will draft a report in the coming months. Whilst it will not result directly in new law, the conclusions will determine a roadmap for legislation. Because of the very broad variety of activities that fall under the definition of General Aviation, the Commission have committed to finding a flexible approach.
Timothy said:
"This Hearing shows that the European Parliament is committed to finding ways to boost General Aviation. The aim was to listen, and to move the emphasis away from commercial aviation for a while and focus on what is a very rich and fun sport.
We don't want to stifle it. We want to find ways to tackle some of the major issues facing the industry: improving safety, boosting small businesses and airfields, furthering R&D, and reducing the environmental and noise impact of such flying.
The European Parliament can set priorities in these areas, and I look forward to setting the agenda for this diverse and complex field in the next coming months."
