Article 1 Objective and scope

The objective of this Directive is to increase safety standards and to improve the operation of the Community air traffic control system through the issuing of a Community air traffic controller licence.

This Directive shall apply to:

• student air traffic controllers, and

• air traffic controllers

exercising their functions under the responsibility of air navigation service providers which offer their services primarily to aircraft movements of general air traffic.

Subject to Articles 1(2) and 13 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004, in cases where regular and planned air traffic control services are provided to general air traffic under the responsibility of air navigation service providers which offer their services primarily to aircraft movements other than general air traffic, Member States shall ensure that the level of safety and quality of the services to general air traffic is at least equivalent to the level resulting from the application of the provisions of this Directive.