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OPINION (2023/2145(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for the financial year 2022

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Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Vlad Gheorghe

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The Committee on Transport and Tourism gives its opinion on the discharge of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's 2022 budget. It welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that the accounts are legal and regular, notes the budget and revenue figures, and proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director discharge. It also comments on the Agency's work on digital transformation of the skies, the Single European Sky, sustainable aviation fuels, drones, and its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget, and calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that the Agency's 2022 accounts are legal and regular in all material respects.
  2. Notes that 2022 authorised appropriations totalled EUR 224 million and welcomes a budget implementation rate of 97.1%, above the Commission's 95% target.
  3. Notes that cancelled appropriations carried over to 2022 were 2.82%, below the Commission's 5% ceiling.
  4. Notes total 2022 revenues of EUR 174.4 million, including EUR 109.4 million from fees and charges, EUR 39.6 million from EU subsidy and EUR 21.9 million from delegation agreements and grants.
  5. Notes a fees and charges surplus of EUR 8.2 million and that the accumulated surplus fell from EUR 72.1 million to EUR 63.9 million.
  6. Welcomes the Agency achieving 97% of its annual work programme objectives, with 77% of KPIs on-track, 17% delayed and 5% needing additional attention.
  7. Welcomes digital transformation of the skies, including streamlined air traffic controller licensing and training and ATM ground systems, and calls for amendment of SERA RT phraseologies for pilot-controller communication.
  8. Highlights the Single European Sky's role in tackling airspace fragmentation and welcomes the Agency's work in the SES 2+ reform, including harmonisation of air traffic controllers and certification of ATM/ANS ground systems.
  9. Welcomes the EASA Sustainable Aviation Programme (2020-2024), its alignment with ReFuelEU Aviation, its monitoring of sustainable aviation fuels and the EU SAF Clearing House, and calls for sufficient funding and incentives for research and development of SAFs.
  10. Commends the Agency's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin within two hours, its role in European military mobility and the Civil-Military Airspace Safety Team Ukraine, and its work with the European Defence Agency and RescEU.
  11. Salutes the Agency's focus on integrating Ukraine as a Candidate State and stresses that the invasion impacted international cooperation, leading to suspension of all cooperation with Russia.
  12. Welcomes the Agency's role in shaping rules for safe drone integration, supporting U-Space regulations and contributing to the EU Drones Strategy 2.0, and proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director discharge for the 2022 budget.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, whose 2022 budget implementation is assessed.
  • The Executive Director of the Agency, for whom discharge is proposed.
  • The Committee on Budgetary Control, which is asked to incorporate these suggestions into its motion for a resolution.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 224 million: appropriations authorised in the Agency's 2022 budget.
  • 97.1%: budget implementation rate for 2022, above the Commission's 95% target.
  • 2.82%: rate of cancelled appropriations carried over to 2022, below the 5% ceiling.
  • EUR 174.4 million: total revenues for 2022.
  • EUR 109.4 million from fees and charges, EUR 39.6 million from EU subsidy, EUR 21.9 million from delegation agreements and grants.
  • EUR 8.2 million: fees and charges surplus at year end.
  • EUR 72.1 million to EUR 63.9 million: accumulated fees and charges surplus brought down.
  • 97% of annual work programme objectives achieved; 77% of KPIs on-track, 17% delayed, 5% need additional attention.