| Press Statement Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC June 13, 2002 US Withdrawal of Complaint at the ICAOIn a meeting of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization on Wednesday, the United States announced the withdrawal of its complaint against 14 of the 15 European respondents in the longstanding US-EU hushkits dispute. The complaint was filed with the International Civil Aviation Organization in March 2000 against the 15 EU Member states in response to the European Union's adoption of a regulation restricting the operation within Europe of certain aircraft fitted with "hushkit" noise reduction devices, and those re-engined with engines of a certain design. Effective April, 2002, the European Union repealed the hushkit regulation, and replaced it with a new directive to manage noise at airports in Europe. The United States will maintain its case against Belgium, which, following the repeal of the hushkit regulation, adopted a decree restricting the operation of certain aircraft at Belgian airports between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am. The decree, which is based on a design standard rather than a performance standard, perpetuates discriminatory aspects of the EU's hushkit regulation, thus compelling the US to pursue its complaint at the ICAO against Belgium. We understand the European Commission is actively reviewing the Belgian decree under applicable EU laws and procedures, and we continue to hope for early resolution of this issue. In the interim, the ICAO Council has agreed to continue the case against Belgium until the next session of the Council scheduled for October, 2002. The President of the Council will continue to act as facilitator in this dispute. |
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