Background

has been launched in January 2007 and addresses five main components: aviation market, security, safety, environment and air traffic management (ATM)

A consortium of five companies has been selected by the European Commission to implement the EuroMed Aviation Project which is financed by the MEDA regional programme with up to €4.99 million over three years. The project, which started on 15 January 2007, aims to promote the emergence of an Euro-Mediterranean airspace and to facilitate any future negotiations of comprehensive Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreements with the Mediterranean partners.

With the annual number of global air passengers predicted to rise from an expected 5 billion in 2010 to more than 9 billion in 2025, aviation safety and security around the world is more than ever a global priority. According to the 2007 edition of the Airports Council International (ACI) Global Traffic Forecast, the Middle East is expected to be the fastest growing region and was the only one to see double-digit growth in 2006. Moreover, total aircraft movements are predicted to nearly double from 67.9 million in 2005 to 118.6 million by 2025, requiring not only new airport infrastructure but also investments in en-route and terminal air traffic control systems.

In December 2005, participants to the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Transport agreed, among other things, on the need to work towards the longer-term objective of a Euro-Mediterranean Common Aviation Area. The EuroMed Aviation Project was developed in response to the ministers' wish to see reinforced cooperation with and among the MEDA countries in the field of air transport.

The project focuses on five main components:

1. Support an open, healthy & competitive aviation market,
2. Promote improved aviation safety,
3. Promote improved aviation security,
4. Promote improved environmental friendliness of air transport
5. Support regional air traffic management cooperation and harmonisation

And shall produce a Road Map for the implementation of the Common Aviation Area, as well an impact assessment.