IPA 2015 Multi-beneficiary Statistical Co-operation Programme

Activity Report

Beneficiary: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia

Grant Contract No: 14463.2015.003-2016.506

Activity title: Meeting of the Air transport statistics Working Group

Activity code: ECO-08.3.61-19-02

Activity type: Pilot Project Task Force: Training:

Study Visit Consultation Others: ☒

Specify: ECO

Place: Luxembourg Organiser: Eurostat

Date of work: Start: 20/03/2019 End: 21/03/2019

(dd/mm/yyyy)

Travel dates: Dpt: 19/03/2019 Return: 22/03/2019

(dd/mm/yyyy)

Participant(s):

Name Organisation Country

Stevan Tešić Statistical Office of the Serbia
Republic of Serbia

Activity results:

(Please follow the structure below for elaborating the activity report. Each point must contain
at least one paragraph of text)

1. Purpose of the activity (please provide information on the purpose of the activity,
main objectives, its background, etc.):

Purpose of this meeting was to discuss and analyse challenges and problems of the Air
transport statistics in European states. Of many expected representatives from variety
of European countries, the ones that were from Austria-Hungary, France, Netherlands,
Ireland and Italy were the ones who stood out the most. Presentations from Italian and
Austrian statisticians have made the biggest impact on the meeting.

Main goals of this meeting were: harmonization of data collection, analysis,

availability and dissemination between different coutries. Many expectations and
goals of the meeting were met even before the conference ended. Understanding
between different statisticians was on an enviable level.

2. Results of the activity (please describe the activity and its result – if its purpose
was met, progress made, etc.):

Atlas of the Sky was presented at the meeting, among other things. Atlas of the Sky is
the European Air-related data Map Viewer of the European Commission. It supports
interactive maps display and satellite overlays. It provides a user-friendly interface to
discover up to date information on air transport for European Countries and the
World. It was noted that general compliance with Eurostat regulations is on a
satisfactory level. It was also noted that there have been significant improvements in
data quality in the last years. Importance of metadata and CSN (Country Specific
Notes) was emphasized.

Italy provided information about data collection, variables and quality assurance.
Usefulness of mirror checks was emphasized as well. Austria’s representative started a
discussion about problems concerning infants in arms and non-revenue passengers.

3. Future tasks (please indicate possible future tasks that result from participating
in the activity):

Participants expressed some proposals for mirror checks reports – to be more detailed
and available earlier. Eurostat noted that data from all reporting countries has to be
available for mirror checks to be produced. Proposals from participants for quality
improvement in mirror checks reports are to be sent to Eurostat by the end of May
2019.

Many comments have been made on availability of detailed information on non-

revenue passengers and infants in arms. Some countries reported difficulties in
recognising and compiling such information. In case there is a methodological
problem, Eurostat will make a proposal. Reporting countries expressed some concerns
on the reliability of information about scheduled/non-scheduled flights.

Participants expressed some concerns on the possible cases of sensitive data being
disseminated. They would like to consult with the data providers directly before
giving the final answer.

Eurostat proposed to start disseminating the number of minor airports (airports below
15 000 passenger units per year).

It was noted that a new version of EDAMIS is being introduced. Also, phasing-out of
EVE and introduction of STRUVAL have been planned.

Eurostat will present a proposal on the possible future introduction of SDMX-CSV for
all transport domains at the November CGST meeting, based on the feedbacks from
the reporting countries on the possible introduction of the new SDMX-CSV format.

4. Impact of participation on future work (please explain the consequences of

participation for future work of your organisation – possible difficulties,
solutions, improvements, implications):

Some conlusions of the meeting were as follows:

Countries should include non-revenue passengers and infants in arms transported in

passenger flights in A1, B1 and C1 data sets. Number of seats available should be
made equal to the number of all passengers transported for particular cases. Countries
agreed that no passenger transported in all-freight and mail flights should be reported.

Some countries informed Eurostat on air passengers and freight transported by other
transport modes (trucks/busses/trains) with the same flight number and the difficulties
in separating such transport from air transport. Eurostat took note of that and will
prepare a general methodological note to be included in the Eurostat metadata and
CSNs file.
Countries generally agreed with Eurostat proposals, but asked for more time in order
to make more in depth analysis of the results.

Date: 27.03.2019 Name and signature of the participant: Stevan Tešić