Sittings · Document
OPINION (2024/2108(INI)) 2025-07-16
On the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Johan Danielsson
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Transport and Tourism submits the following to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on International Trade, as the committees responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ka. whereas easy, efficient and affordable road, rail, maritime and air transport between the EU and the UK is of crucial importance with a view to ensuring a high level of mobility for the many citizens of EU Member States living and working in the UK, and also for UK citizens travelling to the EU as tourists; |
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| General remarks 29a. Welcomes the smooth implementation of the EU-UK TCA in the area of transport and the effective exercise of the mutually granted rights in this regard, maintaining effective transport connectivity since its provisional application in January 2021; |
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29b. Calls on the Commission to continue its oversight of the implementation of the TCA and to enhance cooperation to further integrate the EU and UK markets, facilitate seamless cross-border mobility and infrastructure integration, and achieve mutual climate and transport objectives, in full respect of the TCA framework, based on reciprocity and preserving a level playing field; |
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29c. Expresses concern about the increasing potential for regulatory divergence between the EU and the UK, which could create barriers to seamless transport operations and diminish the benefits of connectivity; stresses, in particular, the need for continued cooperation on future updates to passenger rights regulations, which could create asymmetries in compensation thresholds for delays and protection for multimodal journeys, risking consumer confusion and undermining confidence in cross-border services; |
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29d. Recommends the creation of an EU-UK regulatory divergence observatory to monitor and report on future legislative changes in the areas of transport safety, environmental standards and passenger rights; |
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29e. Calls on the Commission and the United Kingdom to establish a joint rapid alert mechanism (RAM) for transport disruptions, ensuring the immediate exchange of information on incidents affecting Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors; |
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29f. Acknowledges the security benefits of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) but warns of potential transport disruptions during its 2025 rollout; calls for swift implementation and infrastructure readiness at airports, as well as ports such as Dover and Calais, to be prioritised, alongside passenger awareness campaigns to prevent border congestion; notes that since 2 April 2025, EU citizens have been required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to enter the UK for short stays, at a cost of approximately EUR 19, thereby introducing a new administrative requirement for cross-Channel travel; |
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 g (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29g. Recommends close collaboration between the parties in relation to education, professional training and recognition of the qualifications of transport workers, in order to combat the shortage of skilled labour for businesses and support worker mobility in accordance with the EU’s social and safety standards; |
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 h (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29h. Supports, in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, the alignment of EU-UK cooperation, particularly in the planning and implementation of joint projects on military mobility, with broader European security and defence priorities, including the completion of the TEN-T network and dual-use infrastructure upgrades; highlights the need to prioritise digitalisation at border crossings and in transport infrastructure to speed up administrative procedures, and to tackle regulatory differences and infrastructure inadequacies, which continue to pose significant obstacles to the rapid movement of troops and equipment; |
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 i (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29i. Supports the newly established EU–UK Security and Defence Partnership and underlines its strategic importance for the maritime transport sector, particularly in enhancing the resilience of critical transport infrastructure, countering hybrid threats and strengthening cybersecurity, including in the area of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS); calls for close coordination on ship and port facility protection through the consistent and harmonised implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code; underlines the need for continuous coordination on responses to the Russian shadow fleet, stressing that information exchange should be operational and up-to-date to allow both EU Member States and the UK to react in a timely manner; |
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 j (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29j. Stresses the importance of safe and efficient freight transport between the EU and the UK; recalls in this respect that heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers are facing increasing challenges, including from illegal immigrants attempting to conceal themselves in their vehicles in order to cross the border illegally, and that some HGV drivers have been violently attacked near the port of Calais; stresses that EU shipping firms and HGV drivers must not bear the costs and consequences of security failures by the competent border authorities; |
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 k (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Aviation 29k. Notes with satisfaction the smooth transition in the area of aviation safety, with good cooperation and sharing of responsibilities between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, particularly in terms of the validation of certification requests issued by each of the bodies; |
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 l (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29l. Welcomes the bilateral agreements signed to date on all-cargo and passenger air services, guaranteeing continuous and seamless air connectivity between the EU and the UK; |
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 m (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29m. Welcomes ongoing discussions in the Specialised Committee on Air Transport on the non-CO2 climate impact of aviation, and calls for sustained coordination in research, monitoring and reporting, to avoid future discrepancies in legislation; |
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 n (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29n. Welcomes the Specialised Committee on Air Transport’s role in keeping both parties informed of efforts to regulate and incentivise sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) for aviation, and recommends aligning initiatives to maximise sustainability benefits, promoting innovation and supporting the competitiveness of the aviation sector; |
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 o (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29o. Takes note of the ongoing debate regarding wet-leasing provisions between the EU and the UK, now that the latter has to comply with additional restrictions applicable to non-EU countries, and notes the UK’s demands to streamline procedures in a post-Brexit context in order to cope with high seasonal demand; |
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 p (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29p. Highlights, however, that these demands must be considered in the context of the current requests for urgent clarification on intra- and extra-EU wet-lease rules and practices, including on oversight and enforcement, and increased efficiency of air services; |
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 q (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29q. Recommends, therefore, that the Commission propose the revision of the Air Services Regulation1a to the co-legislators, clarifying the rules, oversight mechanisms and enforcement provisions on intra- and extra-EU wet-leasing, to address any issues that may be raised in the context of the EU-UK TCA rather than laying down guidelines on issues where the co-legislators have not yet made a decision; ___________ 1a Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1008/oj. |
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 r (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29r. Points out that a number of local and regional airports in the EU operate many connections to the UK; underlines the need to ensure the availability of flights of this kind, which are used by EU citizens living and working in the UK, but also by UK citizens flying to Europe as tourists; |
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 s (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29s. Recognises that the continuing growth in air traffic and mounting pressures on the global air traffic management system demand strengthened cooperation between the EU and the UK to optimise the performance, efficiency and management of airspace; welcomes the UK’s continued coordination with Eurocontrol, and encourages the exploration of further avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration in this regard; |
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 t (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Road 29t. Stresses the importance of connecting the UK to the European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) and welcomes both sides’ commitment to make progress on data exchange between national electronic registers on (serious) infringements of road transport rules, contributing to the effective enforcement of the rules on road transport laid down in the TCA; calls on both parties to work on a bilateral agreement to further facilitate cross-border exchange of information in alignment with Directive (EU) 2024/32371a, to improve road safety while safeguarding the data protection requirements of drivers; ____________ 1a Directive (EU) 2024/3237 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Directive (EU) 2015/413 facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences, J L, 2024/3237, 30.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/3237/oj. |
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 u (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29u. Welcomes the decision to use the Smart Tachograph version 2 in newly registered EU and UK vehicles, to ensure a continuous high level of road safety and a level playing field on both territories in the carriage of goods by road; |
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 v (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Maritime 29v. Notes the concern over potential shifts in shipping routes and activity to UK ports to avoid the cost of maritime emissions under the EU emissions trading system (ETS), and urges the Commission to monitor port activity in UK ports closely; welcomes, in this respect, the common understanding reached at the UK-EU Summit of 19 May 2025 to establish a functioning link between the EU and UK emissions trading systems, which should include domestic and international maritime and aviation transport, stressing the importance of aligning carbon pricing and monitoring frameworks to maintain environmental ambition, ensure a level playing field and prevent carbon leakage and distortions in port competitiveness, as well as to protect EU port workers and businesses; |
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 w (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29w. Supports the Commission’s implementing decision1a to recognise, as of 11 October 2022, the UK system for training and certification of seafarers pursuant to Directive (EU) 2022/9931b, after determining that all training and certification requirements specified in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers had been satisfied; __________________________________ 1a Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1973 of 11 October 2022 on the recognition of the United Kingdom pursuant to Directive (EU) 2022/993 as regards the system for training and certification of seafarers, OJ L 270, 18.10.2022, p. 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2022/1973/oj. 1b Directive (EU) 2022/993 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2022 on the minimum level of training of seafarers, OJ L 169, 27.6.2022, p. 45, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/993/oj. |
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 x (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Rail 29x. Notes that rail transport remains excluded from the TCA’s scope, reflecting the EU and the UK’s reliance on bilateral agreements; welcomes, nonetheless, progress related to railway undertaking licences and safety certification; |
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 y (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29y. Recalls the strategic importance of the Channel Tunnel as a vital infrastructure link between the UK and the EU; notes with concern that despite bilateral progress, rail freight and passenger volumes through the Channel Tunnel remain far below initial projections due to high costs, regulatory barriers affecting both freight and passenger services, and infrastructure capacity limits for onward travel within the UK, as much of the British rail network is unable to accommodate standard European freight containers and wagons; |
ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he included in his opinion input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:
| 1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register |
| The European Cockpit Association |
| The European Transport Workers' Federation |
| 2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies |
| UK mission to the EU |
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
| Date adopted | 16.7.2025 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 31 3 6 |
| Members present for the final vote | Daniel Attard, Adrian-George Axinia, Tom Berendsen, Rachel Blom, Nina Carberry, Benoit Cassart, Vivien Costanzo, Johan Danielsson, Valérie Devaux, Jens Gieseke, Sérgio Gonçalves, Roman Haider, Sérgio Humberto, Dariusz Joński, François Kalfon, Sophia Kircher, Elena Kountoura, Merja Kyllönen, Julien Leonardelli, Milan Mazurek, Alexandra Mehnert, Ştefan Muşoiu, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Philippe Olivier, Arash Saeidi, Marjan Šarec, Andreas Schieder, Volker Schnurrbusch, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Stanislav Stoyanov, Kai Tegethoff, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Kosma Złotowski | |
| Substitutes present for the final vote | Markus Ferber, Mircea-Gheorghe Hava, Lena Schilling, Kathleen Van Brempt, Ana Vasconcelos | |
| Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote | Isabel Wiseler-Lima |