EU Delays Implementing Aircraft Ban

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PARIS — Following discussions with U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, the European Union has agreed to a short delay in implementing a controversial ban on older, nosier aircraft.

The decision was taken by the EU's ministers of transport to avoid "a standoff with the U.S." so that more positive discussions can begin, Sarah Lambert, a spokeswoman for the EU, said. The ministers decided to delay the ban from April 1 to April 29.

Slater, who spent a week in Europe talking with his counterparts in several countries before the March 29 transport ministers meeting, said: "We welcome (the) decision by the transport ministers of the European Union to postpone the implementation of the regulation to limit hushkitted aircraft."

The U.S., however, continues to object to the regulation which would have "a discriminatory trade impact" on U.S. aircraft manufacturers, he added. The extra time granted by the EU ministers will be used "to begin to address our differences" on the issue, Slater said.

Under the EU regulation, the number of aircraft using so-called hushkits to meet EU noise standards will be frozen at current levels, and no additional aircraft of this type will be authorized in the future.

The EU ministers of transport also decided to endorse construction of a new, multi-billion dollar satellite navigation system for Europe. The system would be used primarily for civilian applications and would compete with the military-based systems in the U.S. and Russia.

The satellite project has been championed by EU Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock. According to Mr. Kinnock, without a system of its own Europe could be shut out of the growing market for satellite-based navigation services for transportation.

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