AIA Supports Suit Against European Union (Dec. 23)
The Aerospace Industries Association supports the administration's recent decision to file an Article 84 complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization against the European Union concerning the EU's non-addition rule. If the rule were implemented, all hushkitted and certain re-engined aircraft that have not previously operated within the EU would be barred from operating in European Union member nations as of May 1, 2000.
At the EU-U.S. summit held in Washington, D.C., on December 17, discussions on the non-addition rule reached an impasse when the EU stated they would suspend implementation of the rule for two years, depending on the outcome of talks for future standards for aircraft engines in the Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). The U.S. stated this would not restore the market for aircraft that had already been affected by the EU rule. The U.S. position is that the EU should withdraw or suspend the rule permanently.
An Article 84 procedure is a mechanism for resolving disputes between member nations of ICAO. The administration believes that the EU non-addition rule has violated ICAO rules.
AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass said that AIA supports settling of the dispute within ICAO and hopes that growing tensions between the U.S. and the EU can be averted. "If the EU continues on its present course, a costly trade war could result that would serve nobody's interest," he said.
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AIA Supports U.S. Decision To File Article 84 ComplaintAgainst The European Union For Non-Addition Rule
