Brussels, 18 April 2024– Europe’s leading airlines are urging Member States to ensure Enrico Letta’s report on the Single Market doesn’t join countless others gathering dust in the depths of the Berlaymont.
The aviation industry is one of the biggest successes of the single market which has delivered more choice, more competition and more affordable air travel for millions of Europeans. However, there remains work to be done to make it complete.
Airlines have a list of issues that need to be addressed but we agree with the report that current air traffic management (ATM) in the EU is a major obstacle to streamlining air transport, resulting in more delays, more cost and more emissions.
Commenting ahead of the presentation of the report at the European Council later today, Ourania Georgoutsakou said,
“Last month A4E CEOs committed to flying for our future and that they would push for reforms that would deliver a better way of flying. The recommendations in this report, particularly around incentivising cooperation in ATM service provision between Member States, are clear examples of what is needed to streamline one crucial aspect of how we fly today,”
She continued, “But this report is useless if member states sit idly by and fail to implement it. It should be the starting gun for action and lead quickly to concrete measures that deliver for airlines, passengers and the environment.”
Notes to Editor
The report by Enrico Letta, Much More than a market- Speed, Security, Solidarity Empowering the Single Marker to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU Citizens makes several recommendations to streamline EU air transport. These include:
• The necessity of efficient oversight of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) by National Supervisory Authorities (NSAs) and the European Commission
• Effective incentives to modernise technology and to favour the most environmentally friendly flight paths.
• The incentivisation of cooperation in service provision between Member States including through a performance scheme
About A4E
Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association. Based in Brussels, A4E works with policymakers to ensure aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner. With a modern fleet of over 3,600 aircraft, A4E airlines carried over 718 million passengers in 2023 and served nearly 2,100 destinations. Each year, A4E members transport more than 5 million tons of vital goods and equipment to more than 360 destinations either by freighters or passenger aircraft. A4E is #Flyingforourfuture with our commitment to Europe and our call to action for incoming policymakers. Find our more at Flyingforourfuture.eu