Per Arne Watle, past Vice President of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), has been elected Chair of the Industry Consultation Body (ICB) which advises the European Commission on the technical aspects of the implementation of the Single European Sky.
Watle, who retired as President and CEO of Norwegian carrier Widerøe's Flyveselskap earlier this year, was joined by Steve James of UK NATS who was elected as Vice Chair. They take over from Fritz Feitl and Eric Kroese respectively.
The ICB was set up by the European Commission in 2004. Its role is to provide strategic direction to legislators in their reform of the European Air Traffic Management system, otherwise known as the Single European Sky project. It comprises membership from across the entire spectrum of Air Traffic Management stakeholders, including airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, meteorological service providers and employee organizations.
Speaking in Brussels yesterday as the announcement was made, ERA Director General Mike Ambrose said:
"I am very pleased to propose Per Arne Watle as a candidate for the ICB Chair. He has extensive and successful business experience and is a natural consensus builder. These are qualities that will be absolutely essential in the coming years, as the importance of the ICB increases in line with the development and implementation of SESAR and the Commission's intention to progress its Single European Sky legislation.
"Per Arne takes over the Chairmanship of a body that has already demonstrated its ability and achievements under the able leadership of Fritz Feitl and Eric Kroese."
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