Success
Prisma's client base consists of global manufacturing and service companies, governments, international organisations as well as a number of trade associations, based in all regions of the world - but predominantly in Europe, North America and the Far East.
We have a broad spread of experience gained during a wide variety of projects of which some recent examples include the following
Aviation
Maritime
Road and Rail
Inland Navigation
> Aviation
Some of the recent assignments we have carried out in the aviation sector include advising the following clients:
Boeing Co.
on liberalisation of air service agreements between States worldwide and the effect on passenger traffic (jointly with Intervistas-GA2).
Association of European Airlines (AEA)
on EU and international aviation policy, including:
- on the
creation of a trans-Atlantic Common Aviation Area and an EU/U.S. Open Skies Agreement;
- on the political, legislative and economic aspects of an integrated air traffic control / air traffic management system in Europe (jointly with GRA Inc.).
British Airways
on all relevant aspects of EU policy. Work included:
- Participation and key input in the negotiations leading to the merger of BA and British Caledonian;
- Participation in all aspects of negotiations with Sabena (now Brussels Airlines) on a possible commercial alliance;
- Participation in negotiations with the European Commission on a proposed alliance with AmericanAirlines on the North Atlantic (particular focus on anti-trust and slot allocation);
- Handling of litigation including leading a case against a major competitor for receiving State subsidies;
- A study on State aids in the EU aviation sector.
TWA on the possible development of a commercial alliance with Air France.
Apax Partners:
- On substantial ownership and effective control as factors determining the nationality of an air carrier involved in a takeover;
- On the impact of changes in the governance structure of Air France-KLM on the retention of traffic rights.
Ashurst:
- On various aspects of EU and international aviation policy, including the ownership requirements for Virgin America.
- At regular intervals, on State aid regimes on air transport.
Government of Afghanistan
on a framework civil aviation policy for Afghanistan as part of an overall examination of the transport industry (under contract from SIDA, the Swedish International Development Agency).
SWISS International Air Lines
on noise issues at Zurich airport in light of the Swiss/German Treaty on overflights, and on various dossiers before the European Commission and Parliament.
Expedia
on all EU policy issues affecting online travel agents, in particular the proposed revision of the Code of Conduct for Computer Reservation Systems.
British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA)
on all areas of EU policy with an impact on business and general aviation operations, including environmental issues, flight time limiations, taxation, aviation safety and the establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Japan International Transport Institute (JITI)
on EU regional and transport policy, on the impact of the Single European Market in aviation, and on the growth of the low-cost carrier segment in Europe.
European Commission PHARE Group
on determining and implementing guidelines for Community financial aid distribution in Eastern Europe.
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
on aviation commercial policy and resulting opportunities for Southern African carriers, covering both commercial and political aspects.
Air Hong Kong
on bilateral negotiations in light of the return of Hong Kong to China.
Aer Lingus
on the EU’s policy on predatory pricing.
Regional Airports Ltd
on EU regulation of air fares, and the EU’s policies that have an impact on business and general aviation operators.
Euralair
on the allocation of slots at Paris Orly airport for routes between France and Spain, and on a State aids investigation.
Omega Air Ltd
on an exemption from EU-wide engine noise restrictions.
Parliament of the Polish Republic
on adapting Polish aviation legislation to the EU’s Acquis Communautaire in light of Poland’s EU accession.
British Aerospace / BAE Systems
for 6 years as retained advisor on Community issues, including regional funds, noise legislation and social developments
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> Maritime
Work we have carried out in the maritime sector includes advising:
P&O – DP World
for almost 20 years on all aspects of EU ports and maritime policy, including Ports Package I and II, environmental measures, security and customs. Prisma also represented P&O – DP World at the Federation of European Private Port Operators (FEPORT).
Stena Line
on obtaining a EUR 8 million grant for the development of the Port of Holyhead, Wales, in order to accommodate large new vessels.
Swedish Shipowners’ Association
for 15 years on all issues of EU maritime policy (including anti-trust legislation, security, safety).
RINA
continuously on the preparation of the application for EU tenders.
Dover Harbour Board
at the highest level on EU policy towards ports. Prisma also made available to the Dover Harbour Board its Chairman part-time for a period of 8 years, in order to take advantage of his expertise in maritime affairs.
Other assignments have included:
• Studies and advice to leading international shipping organisations regarding Community legislation on marine safety and environment issues.
• Study into international policy options for a sustainable ship recycling (ship scrapping) strategy.
• Comparative studies on various international tonnage tax regimes.
• Development of a Community Law Compliance Programme for a major shipping line.
• Advice to several major liner Conferences regarding competition aspects of their agreements and the development of Community shipping policy.
• Study for the European Commission on the competitiveness of a third country Shipping Register.
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> Road and Rail
Recent assignments have included:
• A study on the development of European surface transport with particular emphasis on pricing, market access, competition and also looked at questions of increased uses of combined transport.
• Regular advice to a UK freight transport group regarding all matters affecting the Community inland transport policy including the new problems in Eastern Europe as well as advice on new challenges faced by the industry through the increased focus on environmental issues.
• A study of the freight pattern for the carriage of sea-borne containers in North-Western Europe with respect to the application of the competition rules.
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> Inland navigation
Recent assignments have included:
• A study for major British Shipowners of the Rhine, Main, Danube waterways as a possible alternative to surface transport. Legal background and regulatory issues in respect of a deregulated market.
• Provision of advice and assistance regarding Community development of ports policy and evolution of inland transport policy and impact of deregulatory trends in surface transport operations and implications of this on ports operations. This included also advice on research/environmental and public procurement issues.
• Advice and assistance to various port authorities on a range of matters, including transport and competition questions
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