This paper covers the future European Aviation Law with a special focus on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and their upcoming amendments regarding Apron Management Services in Europe.
EASA will expand its competence on Airports and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP). International Airports like Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) are executing Apron Management Service. Considering the upcoming amendment of the European Regulation No (EC) 216/2008, this paper answers the following questions:
- Can this service be considered as an ANSP-function?
- Would then the airport operator has to apply for an ANSP-licence under the future EASA rules?
- What will be the consequence for the airport management (qualification, training
and licensing of staff)?
- Should there be an outsourcing? With which consequence?
- Should this service be “handed back” to DFS as ANSP?
- What will be the consequence for the airport and the customers (e.g. charges)?
Table of Contents:
1 Glossary
2 Background
3 Tower: Aerodrome Control Service
4 Apron Management Service
5 EASA rules and reglementation
6 Position of the European Parliament
7 Consequences for the airport management
8 Consequences for the customer
9 Summary
10 Sources
Table of Contents
Background
Tower - Aerodrome Control Service
Apron Management Service
EASA rules and reglementation
Position of the European Parliament
Consequences for the airport management
Consequences for the customer
Summary
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the future regulatory role of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding apron management services. It investigates whether airport operators performing these services must be classified and licensed as Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) under new European regulations.
- Legal status of apron management services within the EASA framework
- Distinction between air traffic controllers and apron controllers
- Certification requirements for aerodrome operators
- Economic impact of regulation on airport management and customers
- European legislative developments regarding the Single European Sky
Excerpt from the Book
Apron Control
The ICAO defines the tasks of the apron controller as follows: a) “regulate movement with the objective of preventing collisions between aircraft, and between aircraft and obstacles; b) regulate entry of aircraft into, and coordinate exit of aircraft from, the apron with the aerodrome control tower; and c) ensure safe and expeditious movement of vehicles and appropriate regulation of other activities.“7 The responsibility of apron control varies from airport to airport, but in general the apron controller is responsible for all traffic on the aprons. In FRA and MUC, the apron controllers have positive control over aircraft, just like ground control. Push-backs must be requested and approved by the (DFS) ground controller. The Apron controller will also assign gates to arriving aircraft and guides them via the apron to the assigned parking position and again from the gate to the taxiway. It is important to notice that the apron controller never delivers IFR clearances. If no “Delivery” position is open, aircraft will be advised to contact “Ground” for IFR clearance, then switch to “Apron” for the start-up-procedure. Additionally the apron controller has the responsibility and the control over all movements of vehicles and persons on the apron, like the push-back-truck or the follow-me-car, with whom he is in permanent radio-, data-link, telecommunication- or other voice contact.
Summary of Chapters
Background: Outlines the core problem of whether apron management services at major airports should be classified as ANSP-functions under upcoming EASA rules.
Tower - Aerodrome Control Service: Describes the roles of tower personnel, differentiating between DFS air traffic controllers and airport-employed apron controllers.
Apron Management Service: Provides the legal definition of aprons and the ICAO-based responsibilities for those managing apron movements.
EASA rules and reglementation: Discusses the expanding remit of EASA and the legislative efforts to integrate aerodromes into a total aviation safety approach.
Position of the European Parliament: Details the political progress of amending Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and the administrative discretion granted to Member States.
Consequences for the airport management: Analyzes the operational and liability impact on airport operators, arguing against the need for full ANSP-licensing.
Consequences for the customer: Explores the potential impact on terminal charges based on who provides the apron management service.
Summary: Concludes that a declaration of competence is sufficient for apron management and clarifies the distinct regulatory requirements for different types of aviation personnel.
Keywords
EASA, Apron Management, ANSP, Air Navigation Service, Airport Management, European Aviation Safety Agency, Single European Sky, Certification, Licensing, Regulation, Air Traffic Control, FRA, MUC, Aerodrome, Safety Management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the future regulatory environment for apron management services in Europe, specifically looking at whether airport operators must meet the same stringent requirements as Air Navigation Service Providers under EASA.
What are the central themes discussed?
The key themes include the legal definition of apron management, the certification of services, the licensing of personnel, and the institutional changes driven by the Single European Sky initiative.
What is the primary research question?
The paper asks whether aerodrome operators providing apron management must obtain an ANSP-licence and how EASA's evolving safety regulations affect this requirement.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The paper utilizes a legal and institutional analysis based on official EASA documents, ICAO annexes, EU regulations, and consultations regarding the implementation of safety standards.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body covers the structural definitions of ground versus apron control, the legislative process of EASA's Basic Regulation, and the economic implications for airports and customers.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
EASA, Apron Management, ANSP, Certification, Licensing, and Aerodrome Operation.
Why does the author argue that airport operators do not need an ANSP-licence?
The author argues that apron management is a low-risk service compared to air traffic control; therefore, a declaration of capability is sufficient rather than a full-scale ANSP certification.
How does the European Parliament influence the outcome of these regulations?
The European Parliament has supported amendments that provide administrative discretion to Member States, allowing them to accept declarations of conformity for apron management instead of mandatory certification.
What is the distinction between a "controller" at the tower and an "apron controller"?
Tower controllers are employed by the ANSP (like DFS in Germany) to control active runways and controlled airspace, while apron controllers are employed by the airport operator to manage aircraft and vehicle movements on the apron.
How might this impact the end customer?
The author notes that increased regulatory requirements, such as extensive certification processes, could lead to higher operational costs, which might ultimately be passed on to passengers through terminal charges.
- Quote paper
- Diplom-Staatswissenschaftler (Univ.) Sascha Hissler (Author), 2009, The Future Regulation of Aviation in Europe by EASA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137744
