August 2006

Recent AERADE news features

You may have noticed the news feature at the bottom of the AERADE home page. We aim keep it continually updated with links to major news stories and to significant reports that have recently been published in the fields of aerospace and defence. In case you missed them, we are repeating some of the main news we have featured in the past quarter.

Consultation on enforcement of information provisions of EU air carrier identity

The UK Department for Transport is seeking the views of the air transport and travel industry on how to enforce, in the UK, EU requirements that air passengers should be informed of the identity of their air carrier and of any changes to that carrier which occur after booking. The closing date for responses is 20th October.

• Air carrier identity consultation documents

Joint review teams publish reports on the UK General Aviation industry

Two reports published on 20th July provide a comprehensive picture of the current state of the UK's General Aviation (GA) sector and make a series of recommendations aimed at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Government and the GA sector itself.

• Regulatory review report 2006
• Strategic review report 2006

Airports review - policy update

A policy document has been produced as part of the price control review of BAA's designated airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), which is leading towards new price controls being set in early 2008 for the five years starting April 2008. This document summarises responses to the CAA's first major consultation on the review (pdf: whole document, executive summary), launched in December 2005, and provides an update on the CAA's policy thinking which will shape its forthcoming initial price control proposals, to be issued in September. The document also sets out the CAA's views on the implications for the future financing of airports, in the context of the proposed acquisition of BAA pl. CAA has issued a statement on its timetable for the review LACC Stansted has responded to the document BAA has responded to the document

• CAA has issued a statement on its timetable for the review
• LACC Stansted has responded to the document
• BAA has responded to the document

European defence equipment market

A new era for defence procurement in the European Union began on 1st July with the introduction of a regime designed to increase transparency and competition in the European defence equipment market, offer armed forces and taxpayers better value for money, broaden business opportunities for defence companies and strengthen the global competitiveness of the European industry. Read more...

MOD procurement shakeup

MOD Announcement: On 3rd July the Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, announced that the DLO and DPA are to merge in an acquisition shake up to ensure the UK's Armed Forces get the best equipment at the right price. Read more...

Eurocontrol UK flight plan data (as released to the Council of Europe)

On 7th April the Government published flight plan data received from Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, concerning the movement of certain US aircraft into or out of UK aerodromes since 1st January 2001. This data had previously been released by Eurocontrol to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to assist with its enquiry into allegations of "extraordinary rendition" flights operating within Europe.

Greek and Turkish jets collide over Aegean sea

A Greek and a Turkish fighter jet collided in midair above the southern Aegean island of Karpathos on 23rd May, a Greek defence ministry official said.

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