Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. 2015 annual report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation security

In 2015 measures came into force which are expected to considerably strengthen the explosive detection capability at passenger security checkpoints of airports in respect of cabin baggage. The end of the year was marked by increased security alert levels in several Member States due to the Metrojet incident over Sinai and the Paris attacks. The impact on different transport modes, including aviation, was significant. This risk situation confirmed the Commission's policy choices and the ongoing work on enhancing the explosive detection capability at passenger security checkpoints and air cargo screening facilities.

A further aim of the EU aviation security policy is to ensure a proper balance between the highest possible level of security and other important factors, such as travel convenience, privacy and protection of personal data and facilitation of operational factors. This risk-based approach will continue to be followed in the future.

In this context, the Commission extended One-Stop-Security to Canada and Montenegro and continued its efforts regarding the establishment of harmonized rules at international level through cooperation with the United States and other like-minded aviation security partners. The Commission participated effectively in all relevant events of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and air cargo related meetings of the Worlds Customs Organization (WCO).

In close cooperation with the departments for development cooperation and neighbouring policy of the EU, programmes for capacity building in aviation security in third countries have been established and will be implemented as of 2016. Assistance will focus on countries in Africa and the Middle East as well as EU Neighbouring countries and States in Central Asia. The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) will manage these programmes on the Commission's behalf.

Clarification, harmonization and simplification of aviation security legislation is a regular exercise in line with the better regulation objectives of the EU. The implementing acts for aviation security, Commission Regulation (EU) No 185/2010 and Commission Decision C(2010)774, had been subject to numerous amendments since their entry into force in April 2010. The Commission therefore adopted in 2015 two consolidated and updated legal acts, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 and Commission Implementing Decision C(2015)8005, effectively replacing both acts.

And last but not least the Commission continued to monitor the implementation of aviation security measures by Member States through EU inspections in close cooperation with Member States throughout the year. Compliance levels remained stable and did not require in 2015 temporary exclusions of any EU airport from the EU's One Stop Security System to rectify serious deficiencies.