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OPINION (2023/2181(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Single European Sky ATM Research 3 Joint Undertaking 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 suggests that the Committee on Budgetary Control include its views in the discharge resolution for the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking's 2022 budget. It welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that the 2022 accounts are legal and regular, and the smooth transition to the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. It notes the 2022 execution rates, the full commitment of the EUR 555.8 million Horizon 2020 EU contribution, and the 2022 revenue and error rates. It highlights SESAR's project portfolio, its work with EASA and the European Defence Agency, and its response to the war in Ukraine. It proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Executive Director for the 2022 financial year.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism suggests that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate its suggestions into the discharge resolution, and proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Executive Director for the 2022 financial year.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate the suggestions into its motion for a resolution.
  2. Welcomes the European Court of Auditors' finding that the 2022 accounts are legal and regular in all material respects.
  3. Welcomes the smooth transition to the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking and its coordination mechanisms, including the States' Representatives Group and Programme Committee.
  4. Notes 2022 execution rates of 87 % in commitments and 25 % in payments, and expects closure of all SESAR 2020 projects by the end of 2023.
  5. Notes that SESAR fully committed the maximum EU operational contribution of EUR 555.8 million under Horizon 2020, with about EUR 65.7 million still to be paid.
  6. Welcomes SESAR's management of 71 projects with 300 beneficiaries, including nearly 20 % SMEs, 17 % higher education institutions and 9 % research organisations.
  7. Notes 2022 revenue of EUR 143.47 million and error rates of 2.39 % detected, 1.69 % systematic and 1.75 % residual, within the materiality threshold.
  8. Notes the strengthened partnership with EASA and stresses the importance of further developing the Single European Sky.
  9. Welcomes SESAR's contribution to reacting to the Russian war against Ukraine and acknowledges the exclusion of entities from Belarus, Russia and non-government-controlled Ukrainian territories from Horizon Europe.
  10. Notes the extent of European military aviation and emphasises the need for widespread military involvement in SESAR Solutions.
  11. Notes the 2022 surplus of EUR 107.2 million and the 48 selected projects under the Digital European Sky, including five Digital Sky Demonstrators with total investment of EUR 350 million.
  12. Welcomes corrective actions on the ECA's 2021 observation, including payment of employer's contributions to the EU pension scheme for 2022, and proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Executive Director.

Who is affected

  • The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking and its Executive Director, who would receive discharge for the 2022 budget.
  • The Committee on Budgetary Control, which is asked to include these suggestions in its discharge resolution.
  • Member States, which gain an advisory role through the States' Representatives Group.
  • SMEs, higher education institutions and research organisations, which are beneficiaries of SESAR projects.
  • Military aviation and air traffic management stakeholders, including the European Defence Agency, involved in the Digital European Sky programme.

Figures and deadlines

  • 87 % execution rate in commitment appropriations for 2022.
  • 25 % execution rate in payment appropriations for 2022.
  • EUR 555.8 million maximum EU operational contribution committed under Horizon 2020.
  • Approximately EUR 65.7 million (11.8 %) of the committed amount remains to be paid.
  • 71 projects managed with 300 beneficiaries; nearly 20 % SMEs, 17 % higher education institutions, 9 % research organisations.
  • 2022 revenue of EUR 143.47 million: EUR 139.57 million from the Union, EUR 0.918 million from Eurocontrol, EUR 2.05 million from other members.
  • Detected error rate 2.39 %, systematic error rate 1.69 %, residual error rate 1.75 %.
  • 2022 surplus of EUR 107.2 million; 48 selected projects and five Digital Sky Demonstrators with total investment of EUR 350 million.