News

The High-Level Group on Tourism and Employment reported to the Commission last week that tourism could create between 2.2m and 3.3m new jobs in the EU by 2010, expecting growth faster than the economy as a whole. It proposes five main areas for action in order to promote job creation: 1) greater business expertise to […]

Judgment of the Court of First Instance given on 15 September 1998 Ryanair sought the annulment of a Commission decision in to permit under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty payment of IR £50m state aid by the Irish Government to Aer Lingus in support of restructuring. This was the second tranche of a total

Duty-free sales come to an end on 1 July 1999. From that date, sales on board ships and aircraft on journeys within the EU will be subject to the excise duty at the rate applicable in the country where the goods were loaded on to the vessel or aircraft. VAT will apply at the rate

The Commission has announced a strategy to establish a free trade area between the EU and its Meditteranean partners by 2010. The strategy includes close co-operation on customs duties. [IP/98/826]

Three British tourists and five Turkish citizens are feared dead after their coach transporting them back to the airport crashed into a taxi. All five occupants of the taxi are believed to have been killed. A further 30 occupants of the coach were injured. The coach was taking holidaymakers to Ismir Airport when the collision

Jim Swire, a spokesman for the relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing has stated that he believes Libya has legitimate concerns about the proposals for a trial of the two Libyan suspects under Scots Law in the Netherlands. Libya has asked for guarantees that the two men will not be extradited to the

The British Airports Authority has announced £200m plans for Stansted Airport in the South East of England. It will also be seeking permission to boost the number of flights from the current 120,000 to 185,000 thus increasing capacity from 8m to 15m per year. (20/10/98).

The ECOFIN Council approved Greece’s convergence programme for 1998-2001 which would enable it to meet the criteria required for it to join the single currency on 1 January 2001.

The International Transport Federation held a day of action to protest about the application of this Directive. This is the largest sector not covered by the Directive. Approximately 3.5m transport workers are employed in the sector. The European Commission threatened to propose legislation for the sector if no agreement was reached between employers and unions

Commissioner Neil Kinnock announced plans to buy and sell take-off slots. In July, British Airways and American Airlines were required to relinquish 267 slots (without compensation) in order to obtain EU approval for their alliance. The plans for buying and selling the slots will require legislative changes and are unlikely to be effected before 2001.