EU reports on EX-YU air transport progress

NEWS FLASH

The European Commission has published its annual progress reports for those aspiring to join the European Union, giving an assessment of what each candidate and potential candidate has achieved over the last year, as well as a set of guidelines on reform priorities, including air transport. Excerpts from the reports that concern aviation are outlined below:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

No progress was made on civil aviation. The 2009 Law on civil aviation still needs be aligned with the requirements of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement (ECAA). Bosnia and Herzegovina urgently needs to address the chronic lack of adequately trained and qualified staff and the institutional set-up within the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA), which increases the risks of safety oversight.

Montenegro

In regards to aviation, Montenegro achieved a good level of alignment with the EU acquis. Before transition to the second phase of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement (ECAA) is possible, competition and State aid requirements need to be fulfilled. In April 2024, the government decided to continue with the second stage of the tender procedure for airports concession, with advisory support of the International Finance Corporation. 

North Macedonia

In the area of aviation, the country has maintained a good level of alignment with the EU acquis and has partially aligned with the aviation safety legislation withing the reporting period. An assessment mission took place during the reporting period on whether the country should be admitted to the next phase of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement (ECAA). Further efforts are still needed to facilitate European Aviation Safety Agency standardisation inspections. Independent functioning of the air navigation service provider need to be maintained.

Serbia

On aviation, Serbia has a good level of alignment with the EU acquis. No progress was made regarding lifting the suspension of articles on the licensing of air carriers and the normalisation of the lower airspace regime over Kosovo.

Kosovo

On air transport, Kosovo made progress with the opening, in January 2024, of new air corridors between Kosovo and Albania, which will shorten flight times with European countries by up to 12 minutes and will positively affect civil aviation. The sector continues to face a number of challenges arising from Kosovo’s non-membership in several international civil aviation organisations. The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) still manages and coordinates upper Kosovo airspace. The institutional shortcomings of the Air Navigation Service Agency and the European Civil Aviation Authority, as well as the lack of revenue from upper airspace management, remain issues. Efforts should continue in aligning with the remaining European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) first-phase items.