Spain calls an extraordinary meeting of transport ministers to give impetus to a 'single European sky' after the icelandic volcano air-traffic crisis.

The Spanish Minister of Public Works, José Blanco, has announced in Madrid that the Spanish Presidency of the EU has called an extraordinary meeting of the Transport Council for 4 May, with the backing of the Commission, to give impetus to introducing a 'single European sky', in the wake of the recent air-traffic crisis caused by the volcanic cloud.

The aim of the meeting, in the minister's words, is 'to promote joint reflection on improving European response mechanisms which allow us to react to crisis situations in a quicker and more coordinated way', an idea that EU has been studying for a long time.

The minister announced that he has asked the European Commission to draw up a report which includes three fundamental initiatives, which will be addressed at the extraordinary Council of ministers to be held in Brussels:

• The possibility of speeding up the process of introducing a 'single European sky', and, in particular, establishing Eurocontrol as the managing body of the integrated European network.
• The need to review the current emergency response procedures.
• Drawing up an emergency mobility plan which appropriately takes into account citizens' rights and safety.

In this regard, the minister pointed out the need to review the current protocols, which date from the 1980s, as well as to stimulate research to establish new criteria, in agreement with the airline industry, with the aim of anticipating future crises.

On 26 February, the minister recalled, the Madrid Declaration and a 'roadmap' for establishing the 'single sky' were approved after many months of negotiations in the EU.  The minister also viewed establishing Eurocontrol as the single managing body as fundamental, since up to now the response has fallen to the Member States, based on the Community body's technical reports for air traffic.