Second report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) 2320/2002 on civil aviation security

Abstract

Terrorism still poses a real threat to air transport. The unsuccessful plot in the United Kingdom in August 2006, involving the use of liquid explosives smuggled in hand luggage to blow up several aircraft in flight, show – if proof were needed – that it would be foolhardy for the European Union to relax its efforts in the field of aviation security. It is still essential to ensure that the security measures adopted by the EU in Regulation (EC) No 2320/20021 are applied properly. In September 2005, the Commission adopted its first report2 on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2320/2002 covering the period February 2004-June 2005. This second report covers the period July 2005-December 2006 and is based more particularly on the conclusions drawn from some fifty new inspections carried out by the Commission. It enables a comprehensive evaluation to be made of the state of security in the European Union four years after the entry into force of the European legislation. This report confirms in particular that the introduction of Community rules has significantly improved security at EU airports. Air travellers enjoy a high level of security. The EU system has proven capable of maintaining and developing common rules which facilitate travel by minimising cumbersome variations of security rules between Member States.