The air traffic disruption across Europe after heavy snowfalls is unacceptable and should not happen again, European Commission Vice President in charge of transport Siim Kallas said in a strongly-worded message on December 21 2010.

"Of course, safety of travel comes first and foremost, so there can be no compromise on that front. And extreme snow and extreme weather conditions are and have to be taken into account in contingency planning is which is the responsibility of member states. They are taking those responsibilities very seriously," Kallas said
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The European Commission was monitoring the situation very closely and was in constant touch with airlines, airports, rail operators and national authorities responsible for passenger rights, he said
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Kallas said that in recent days, he had become "increasingly concerned" about the problems relating to the infrastructure available to airlines – airports and ground handling - during this severe period of snow.

"It seems at this stage that this is a 'weak link' in a chain which, under pressure, is contributing to severe disruption."

He said that he would convene a meeting with airports representatives in the coming days to ask for further explanations and to "take a hard look at what is necessary to make sure they would be able to operate more effectively in the similar situations in the future."

Airports must "get serious" about planning for this kind of severe weather conditions, Kallas said.

"We have seen in recent years that snow is Western Europe is not such an exceptional circumstance.

"Better preparedness, in line with what is done in Northern Europe is not an optional extra, it must be planned for and with the necessary investment, particularly on the side of the airports."

Kallas said: "We need to ensure that, from infrastructure providers such as airports and rail infrastructure manages, there are appropriate service levels and minimum quality requirements that are followed and delivered."

"If there is a need for support from the European Commission in terms of regulation on minimum service requirements for airports in this area, I am prepared to do that, for example, when we bring forward the Airports package on slots and groundhandling which is foreseen before summer next year."

He said that he wanted to hear the views of the airport operators and the different practices in place across Europe.

"We must look at the issue across the whole travel chain and make sure possible loopholes and weak links are identified and closed."

At this time, it does not seem to be an issue for the airlines as they want to fly, fly safely and do all they can as well caring for the passengers. What is necessary is that the expectations from everybody must be reasonable and proportionate, he said.

Kallas said that Europe had put in place a safety net of rights designed to help passengers in cases of difficulties with issues such as overbooking or cancellations.

Since early this year, that safety net of rights also covers rail passengers, and in the future will extend to ship, inland waterways bus and coaches.

"What we need for the future is to make sure that there is proportionate responsibility and risk sharing between all the operators in the supply chain, in particular when it comes to air travel, and this includes also passengers. I intend to address this issue during next year," Kallas said.