dynamic air route planning

The Commission will reinforce the powers of the Network Manager, in particular to allow it to take on more centralised pan-European functions, for example with regard to airspace design, including route planning.

(2) air traffic management: interaction of local, regional, national and European interests in planning air sectors and routes.

The trans-European air traffic management network shall comprise the airspace reserved for general aviation, airways, air navigation aids, the traffic planning and management systems and the air traffic control system (control centres, surveillance and communications facilities) that are necessary for safe and efficient aviation in European airspace.

According to the parties, the object of the cooperation is twofold: firstly, to enhance the two airlines' European and worldwide networks and, secondly, to carry out a plan for reducing their costs. The economic significance of the arrangement is considerable. In terms of passenger-kilometres within Europe, Lufthansa and SAS are respectively the second and third largest European airlines. Their cooperation agreement will thus have the effect of restricting competition significantly, particularly on routes between Scandinavia and Germany. However, account must also be taken of the positive aspects of the agreement, which must be seen in t ...[+++]he light of the restructuring of European air transport. The alliance between the two airlines will give them a much more efficient worldwide network, enabling them to stand up more effectively to competition from other airlines, notably non-European airlines.