Airlines for Europe has serious concern on new Italian measures to protect air passengers

Ryanair's new mouthpiece, Airlines for Europe, is expressing serious concern about the recently adopted measures by the Italian Transport Authority (Autorità di Regolazione dei Trasporti, ART) on new standards that air carriers must adhere to with respect to customers’ complaints. These measures will significantly extend the responsibility of carriers while also contradicting provisions from Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. 

The new standards adopted by ART open the right to compensation to any person who “intends to use” air transport services, impose obligations on specific channels to enable passengers to submit claims and the content they must provide, settle deadlines for airlines to reply to complaints within 30 days or 60 days depending on the case and impose automatic compensation of 10% to 20% of the flight ticket in case of delay or due to a lack of reply from the carrier or due to a reply that is not “sufficiently motivated.” 

A4E says EU law holds primacy for passenger rights measures, a principle which must be respected. In addition, these new Italian standards conflict with the EU Commission proposal on passenger rights in respect of  

(i) improvement of the information provided to passengers at the time of booking and following disruptions regarding their rights;  

(ii) quality of service; 

(iii) adoption of a common form for requests for reimbursement and compensation.  

Airlines for Europe CEOs set out demands for new EU term

The CEOs of Airlines for Europe (A4E), the trade body for European airlines, gathered in Brussels today for a boozy meeting to set out their priorities for the new EU term which has resulted in them urging policymakers to focus on reinforcing the competitiveness of airlines, airspace reform, supporting the decarbonisation of aviation and completing Europe’s Single Aviation Market. 

A4E, which is financed by the airlines, contests that achieving their priorities will strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s airline sector, ensure it remains a globally competitive force which connects Europeans across Europe and with the rest of the world. 

The priorities map out the most pressing challenges facing the sector today, including: 

Reinforcing the competitiveness of Europe’s airlines

The urgent need to reform Europe’s outdated and fragmented airspace to ensure it is fit for today and the future, saving up to 10% of emissions, the equivalent of 90 million tonnes of CO2 over the term of the European Parliament (according to easyJet research)

The support of the decarbonisation of aviation, ensuring that the annual investment needs of EUR 61 billion set out in the Draghi Report will be unlocked between 2030-2050.

The inclusion of aviation in the new Clean Industrial Deal, to ramp up the production and bring down the cost of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). Bringing down the price gap between SAFs and conventional jet fuel will be essential to ensure that the sector meets its ambitious climate goals while remaining globally competitive

Completing the single market, giving legal clarity to passengers and airlines and ensuring effective and objective oversight of all stakeholders from airports to ANSPs and intermediaries.

Underlining their commitment to work with the incoming European Commission, newly elected MEPs, and Member States, the CEOs of Europe’s airlines have published an open letter, outlining these priorities and calling on policymakers to “work with us to deliver a future of flying that is connected, dependable, modern, sustainable and which remains available to all.” 

Ryanair's boss, Michael O’Leary, is also the A4E Chairman, says: “The next EU term must be focused on delivery. Policymakers must be bold and deliver the reforms Europe is crying out for to ensure it remains a region that is competitive and innovative and most importantly, so aviation is able to deliver for Europeans in the years to come.” 

Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E said: “We are clear on the most pressing areas for action—from airspace reform to sustainability, ensuring a level playing field and completing the single market will be essential to maintaining a competitive European airline industry. Expectations are high for decisive action over the next five years, and we are ready to work with the EU to make important progress,” 

The open letter can be found here.
It was signed by:Micheal O’Leary – Ryanair, Chair of A4EBogi Nils Bogason – Icelandair Marco Ciomperlik – TUI Richard Forson – Cargolux Luis Gallego – IAG  Martin Alexander Gauss – AirBaltic Dimitris Georgiannis – Aegean Steve Heapy – Jet2  Geir Karlsen – Norwegian Turkka Kuusisto – Finnair Johan Lundgren – EasyJet Carlos Munoz – Volotea Luis Rodriguez – TAP Ben Smith  – Air France-KLM GroupCarsten Spohr – Lufthansa Group Roman Vik – Smartwings  Valdemar Warburg – Sunclass

Airline campaigning group hits out at online travel agents

Airlines for Europe (A4E) the campaigning airline association based in Brussels has commissioned a new study, at the forceful urging of budget airline Ryanair, into online travel agents and intermediaries.

Ryanair is already at war with Online Travel Agents (OTAs) including a massive legal battle with dreams-ODIGEO.  The report, conducted by economics consultancy Syntesia, outlines how ticket distribution for airlines is shifting as traditional Global Distribution Systems (GDS) lose market share to Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and Meta Search Engines. 

This comes after the European Commission designated Booking.com, a leading OTA, as a gatekeeper under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA aims to ensure “more choice and freedom for end users, and fair access for business users to gatekeeper services.”

According to A4E, key findings from the study include:

OTA prices for identical itineraries were, on average, nearly 25% higher than booking directly with airlines

Consumers face hidden mark-ups and charges, often falsely attributed to airlines

Services offered for free by airlines, such as SMS updates, are sold by OTAs at a cost

Two OTAs control 50% of the European market for OTAs

Three companies dominate 95% of the GDS market, with one controlling 60–65% in Western Europe

A4E says the scope of the study covers several types of online intermediaries, with the main priority being OTAs. To achieve sufficient depth, the study analysed a sample of OTAs, which were selected with a view to their high market share (together covering the vast majority of the EU market). This was done by a mystery shopper process in which staff of completed the booking process. It is unclear exactly how many mystery shopping bookings were completed on either the airlines concerned or the OTA. A4E advises that the report was done with the support of Air France-KLM, easyJet, IAG, Lufthansa Group, Ryanair and Volotea – and conducted in spring 2024.

A4E warn against more French air taxes

French Government’s plan to raise €1 billion through increased taxes on aviation would harm the economy and citizens' claims trade bodies

European airlines and airports, represented by industry groups A4E (Airlines for Europe) and ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), today reacted with dismay at reports that the French Government is considering further increases in aviation taxes as a quick fix to address the country’s soaring national debt.

A4E and ACI EUROPE urged the French Government to reconsider these plans, which do not appear to be based on an in-depth economic impact analysis. They warned about:

The significant damages these tax increases would inflict not just on the country’s aviation sector, but also on the national economy, its competitive position and attractiveness – noting such damages would end up cascading down on the country’s citizens.

The hurdles these tax increases will create for the effective decarbonisation of aviation by reducing the ability of the sector to finance related investments.

A4E and ACI EUROPE also pointed to the precedents of countries such as Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands and just recently Sweden backtracking and having abolished or reduced their aviation taxes due to the negative spillover effect on their economies.

Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E Managing Director said:  "This proposal to increase French aviation taxes would be counterproductive, would fragment the single aviation market and would undermine the competitiveness of French aviation. Any short-term revenue gains the government expects would be far outweighed by reduced connectivity, poorer consumer welfare and would set back aviation’s decarbonisation efforts. Diverting funds from the industry through increased taxes ultimately means less investment in crucial decarbonisation measures."

ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “Raising aviation taxes is the poster child of short-term thinking in politics. If confirmed, this new plan would inadvertently weaken the competitiveness of French aviation, penalise citizens and, ultimately reduce the sector’s economic contribution. As we have repeatedly pointed out, every 10% increase in direct connectivity leads to a 0.5% rise in GDP per capita. The French Government would de facto choose quick cash over durable economic competitiveness. This plan is even more concerning given the aviation sector’s ongoing transformation to meet ambitious net-zero goals – with the recent Draghi report acknowledging that European aviation will need €61 billion every year to get there. If anything, more financial support from the government is what is required, not additional taxation.”

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. 

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Removal of Swedish ticket tax is good news for consumers and aviation decarbonisation

The Swedish government’s decision to abolish its airline ticket tax from June 2025 is a win for both consumers and the decarbonisation of aviation. A4E welcomes this move, acknowledging the Swedish government’s recognition that the tax undermined the competitiveness and connectivity of Swedish aviation. The tax did little to advance decarbonisation; it was a blunt instrument that ignored factors like aircraft fuel efficiency, passenger numbers, and load factor, offering no incentives to improve environmental performance. The revenues from the tax were also not reinvested in the decarbonisation of aviation. Instead, it increased costs for consumers and weakened the competitiveness of Swedish aviation.

Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, said, “Too often, governments impose additional taxes on aviation that do little to advance decarbonisation, fragment the European single aviation market, and weaken Europe’s aviation competitiveness. The Swedish government deserves praise for recognising this and taking a step that will boost Swedish aviation and enhance Sweden’s competitiveness. Only by ensuring we have a strong and competitive airline industry in Europe can we accelerate the sector’s transition to a more sustainable future.”

A4E welcomes new team members

Airlines for Europe (A4E), Europe’s leading airline trade association, confirmed the appointment of Davide Maistro as Policy Director and Beatrice Pepe as Communications Officer.

They bring with them extensive knowledge and experience of the Brussels landscape. Davide has previously spent many years working as a consultant, advising companies and trade associations in the transport and travel, energy and technology sectors. Beatrice previously worked in several Brussels-based trade associations in the chemicals and energy sectors.

Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, said, “I am delighted to welcome Davide and Beatrice to the A4E team. They join at an important time for A4E as we work to ensure our members continue to thrive and connect millions of Europeans across Europe and with the rest of the world while accelerating our industry towards more sustainable flying for
the years to come.”

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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.

Europe’s Airspace is creaking at the seams. Urgent action required to improve flight punctuality

On-time performance of flights in Europe dramatically deteriorated during the last week of June and continues to struggle despite the best efforts of airlines. Reduced ATC capacity and inadequate coordination between ANSPs, Eurocontrol’s Network Manager and airlines has made the effects of a recent spate of bad weather worse than necessary.

A4E members alone suffered just under 900,000 minutes worth of delay from 26-30 June affecting over 36,000 flights.* This represents an average of over 5,000 delayed flights a day or over 200 delayed flights an hour, affecting approximately six million passengers. ATC related delays accounted for nearly one quarter of these delays.

ATC services in Europe continue to underperform as confirmed by the recently released Performance Review Report (PRR) from Eurocontrol. This showed that over a quarter of flights did not arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time in 2023. En-route Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) delays in 2023 were also the second highest over the past 20 years and beat the figure for 2019 which had a higher level of air traffic.

Travel plans of thousands of passengers still in question following last minute withdrawal of French ATC strike threat

Europe’s largest airlines and hundreds of thousands of passengers have been left in limbo despite the French SNCTA union withdrawing its notice of strike action at the eleventh hour. Airlines still do not have full clarity this afternoon of what French ATC capacity will be tomorrow, meaning there will still be significant disruption for flight operations and passengers. 

In advance of the strike, airlines had been forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights, the majority of which would have landed or departed from France. Another 1,000 flights would have had to divert away from French airspace causing further delays and disruption.  

The strike was set to be one of the largest ATC strikes in years and comes after 2023 saw 16,000 flight cancellations, 85,000 delayed flights and 20 million passengers being impacted due to ATC strikes.

 

This illustrates why A4E’s call for a passenger protection proposal at EU level remains critically important for providing certainty and predictability for airlines across Europe. The proposal would see:

 

•            a legally binding requirement for arbitration with unions ahead of strike action;

•            a 21-day notice period ahead of strikes;

•            72-hour confirmation of employee participation in strikes; and protection for overflights over countries affected by ATC strikes, without impacting flights flying to and from the country affected 

 

Sunclass Airlines joins Airlines for Europe

Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing the united voice of Europe’s leading airlines in Brussels, has welcomed another airline to its umbrella  - the 17th full member is Nordic charter operator Sunclass Airlines.

You might not have noticed Sunclass Airlines, but it was founded more than 60 years ago and is part of the Nordic Leisure Travel Group which operates services from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland to the Mediterranean, West Africa, Asia, and Caribbean. With a strong commitment to service excellence and a track record of providing seamless travel experiences, Sunclass Airlines brings a unique perspective to A4E from an important segment of the air travel industry.

‘’We are delighted to welcome Sunclass Airlines to the A4E family. Their expertise in the tourism and charter aviation markets will complement our activities around sustainable and affordable aviation. As the EU Fit for 55 package of legislation is fully implemented over the next few years, A4E will be relying on the insights from our member airlines and the regions they service to make this a smooth transition for all,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E.

“The addition of Sunclass Airlines to the A4E membership illustrates the diversity of Europe’s aviation market, the many reasons why people fly and the many ways in which local communities benefit from aviation," she continued.

 Valdemar Warburg, CEO of Sunclass Airlines says, “A4E has a mission to empower a safe, sustainable and competitive market for European aviation. These are the same priorities and objectives that we have at Sunclass Airlines, and something that we as a company must constantly focus on in order to meet our customers' expectations and our own very ambitious targets”, says 

Member States should seize opportunity of new passenger rights proposals to break deadlock on reform of Air Passenger Rights Regulation

Europe’s leading airlines are urging EU member states to use new proposals on passenger rights to unlock the impasse on a wider reform that has gone nowhere for a decade. This will deliver the necessary clarity for airlines and passengers alike and ensure a smoother and more efficient system for passenger rights.

The European Air Passengers Rights Regulation EC261/2004 establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays of flights. A revised proposal, which the European Commission adopted in March 2013, aims to clarify the definition of 'extraordinary circumstances' in case of flight cancellations or delays, introduce the new right on rerouting and expends the passenger’s right to information about flight disruption. Although Council has held debates on the Commission’s proposal since October 2013 and made some progress on the file, it has not agreed on a general approach for negotiations with the Parliament.

The proposal presented this week is part of a package of legislation that would offer some limited improvements to protecting passengers in Europe. On the one hand, there are positive moves to providing more clarity to passengers and airlines, particularly on multimodal transport and on the obligations on what information intermediaries must provide. But there remains a significant lack of clarity over key aspects of the core air passenger rights legislation, including what constitutes an extraordinary circumstance and under which conditions passengers are entitled to compensation. This is despite the Commission recommending such changes ten years ago.

A4E urges member states to heed the words of Commissioner Vălean and discuss the original reform proposal together with today’s new proposals to deliver a clear and unified regulation that offers full clarity for passengers and transport operators.

Rania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe, said:  “Today’s proposal is a tentative step in bringing coherence to the tangled web of passenger rights in Europe but it does not address the elephant in the room which is the urgent need for the EU to revise the core regulation on passenger rights known as EU261 whose lack of clarity has led to more European Court of Justice decisions than any other regulation.”

“There is now an opportunity for member states to revive the decade old proposal to reform the EU’s air passenger rights Regulation and in particular lift the fog of uncertainty over what is an extraordinary circumstance. Member states should seize the opportunity to deliver a clear and simple set of rules. This would put an end to the endless growth of claim farms that have been clogging courts and damaging the relationship between passengers and airlines”, she continued.

Calling off French ATC strike is only a temporary reprieve unless concrete action is taken warns boss of European airline association

Thousands of rugby fans were breathing a little easier after French air traffic control (ATC) workers called off their strike during the week. This would have been the 38th strike day by French ATC workers which is more than the total combined number of strike days in the rest of Europe.  

While it is a welcome development that French ATC has headed to the negotiation room over the picket line, this is only a temporary reprieve unless concrete measures are put in place to manage the impact of ATC strikes in Europe. 

A4E respects the right to strike but given the level of disruption experienced this year, it has presented a series of actions that would ensure European passengers can continue to fly freely including the protection of overflights, while also ensuring this is not at the expense of departures and arrivals in the country where the strike originates. This temporary reprieve highlights shows how measures such as a 21-day advance notification of strike action and mandatory arbitration can have a positive impact for passengers. 

European aviation industry looks forward to global progress following adoption of European legislation on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

The five leading European aviation associations representing Europe’s airlines, airports, civil aeronautics industry and air navigation service providers, which are close partners through the DESTINATION 2050 alliance – A4E, ACI EUROPE, ASD, CANSO Europe, and ERA – welcomed the adoption of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation and look forward to further SAF deployment globally. 

The adoption marks an important and timely step necessary to realising the ambitious decarbonisation targets set out in the DESTINATION 2050 roadmap. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) are a crucial component of this roadmap and today’s adoption of the ReFuelEU legislation lays the foundation for ambitious blending shares of SAF in aviation fuel. 

While EU investors and industrial partners have now received a clear signal to unleash their investments, the EU shall ensure that the required uptake of SAF consumption will boost the European SAF industry. The international race to become a SAF leader has started and the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation should therefore be complemented with further incentives to scale up SAF production and uptake in Europe through their inclusion into the EU Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) as part of the strategic net-zero technologies, mirroring the US approach in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

Laurent Donceel appointed Deputy Managing Director at Airlines for Europe (A4E)

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has appointed Laurent Donceel as Deputy Managing Director. Since joining A4E in 2016, Laurent has been a cornerstone of its team and has played an important role in its development into Europe’s leading airline trade association. 

As Deputy Managing Director, Laurent will offer strategic guidance to A4E’s Executive Committee and partner with Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou to further build on A4E’s seven-year legacy of success and enhance its presence and voice. He will continue to lead on sustainability topics as A4E’s members continue to accelerate their efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions as part of the Destination 2050 initiative. 

Commenting on the appointment, Ourania Georgoutsakou said,  “I’m delighted to have been able to make this appointment. Laurent's invaluable experience and his deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in helping A4E continue to achieve success. I’m pleased that he will maintain his leadership on sustainability issues and will be instrumental in our work with policymakers as the Fit for 55 sustainability package is implemented. He will also continue to collaborate with our members as they ramp up their work to implement the Destination 2050 roadmap to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

On his new role, Laurent Donceel said:  “I’ve had the pleasure of seeing firsthand how A4E has grown into Europe’s leading airline trade association and I’m excited about this new chapter in its development. I look forward to taking on more responsibility for A4E’s strategic direction and, together with Managing Director Ourania and the wider A4E team, I’m confident that we can continue to be a strong and respected advocate for our members in Brussels and across Europe.”    

A4E is a group of 16 airlines which represent over 70% of European air traffic and carried over 700 million passengers in 2019. Leading global aircraft manufacturers are also members of A4E. Airlines with cargo and mail activities transport more than 5 million tons of goods to more than 360 destinations annually.

Airlines demand swift EU action to avert ATC strike fallout this summer

Europe’s leading airlines are calling on the European Commission to step up to stop escalating industrial action from derailing summer travel for millions of passengers.

Already this year, a wave of strikes has impacted air travel in Europe resulting in over 3,000 flight cancellations and 23,000 flight delays disrupting the plans of over 10 million passengers. As the summer season ramps up, the potential for millions more passengers to have their travel plans ruined by strikes is high.

A4E is calling on the Commission to support Member States to ensure European passengers can continue to fly freely this summer. This can be achieved through: 

Mandatory arbitration before ATC unions can threaten strike action

A 21-day advance notification of strike action

Providing a 72h advance individual notification of participation in industrial action

Protection of overflights, while ensuring this is not at the expense of departures and arrivals in the country where the strike originates.

Right of redress with ANSPs for the impact of disruption.

European Parliament vote approving SAF allowances in EU ETS

European Parliament vote approving SAF allowances in EU ETS

is important step for aviation decarbonisation

The 20 million ‘SAF allowances’ passed in today’s ETS vote at the European Parliament are an important part in accelerating aviation’s decarbonisation. They will help stimulate and incentivise the rapid deployment of sustainable aviation fuels in Europe. Without them, the phase out of free ETS allowances by 2026, well before truly effective decarbonisation solutions will be available at scale, could negatively impact air transport. This is because the cost of compliance for the ETS will likely increase fivefold by 2025 to over EUR 5-6 billion annually which would impact ticket prices, route availability and ultimately connectivity. 

Therefore, now is the time for the EU to do everything it can to ramp up sustainable fuel production. Countries around the world, such as the USA through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), are willing to throw public funds behind sustainable fuels. This is placing the future competitiveness of European aviation and the European SAF industry at stake. 

Now more than ever, all revenues generated from ETS aviation allowances should:

 Contribute to lowering the price gap between conventional fuels and SAF

Fund R&D and innovation projects for low- and zero-carbon fuels and propulsion technologies;

Fund the scaling up and deployment of SAF

A4E CEOs inject new impetus into airspace reform and call for new ways to finance air traffic management in Europe

A4E CEOs have said that multiple crises can no longer be used as excuses to delay airspace reform in Europe and now is the time to deliver for airlines, passengers and the environment. Half a decade after creating the Seamless European Sky initiative with players from across aviation, A4E is rebooting cross-industry collaboration to collectively push for reform of Europe’s skies. The CEOs said that the time for excuses is over as traffic levels get closer to their pre-COVID 2019 peak. This increased traffic means that the need for a seamless and digitalised airspace is more pressing than ever.

Airspace reform would unlock a whole host of benefits for passengers, airlines and the environment including:

Enabling airlines to fly the most efficient routes and unlocking significant CO2 savings of up to 10%;

Reducing delays and ruined travel plans for passengers;

Improving airspace capacity which can allow for greater connectivity for consumers; 

 

In recent years there has been massive innovation and reform in various aspects of flying in Europe, from new aircraft technology to widespread digitalisation. However, the pace of reform with Europe’s airspace has failed to match this, most visibly with the failure to implement the Single European Sky (SES) legislation. The CEOs repeated their call for the SES2+ legislation to be implemented immediately as part of wider reform of Europe’s airspace.

At its annual summit, A4E also unveiled a new study from Transport and Mobility Leuven, a Katholieke Universiteit Leuven owned research body, which found that Europe needs a new way of financing Air Traffic Management (ATM) to ensure airlines are not the only ones left picking up the tab during future crisis situations. Airlines have been left on the hook for EUR 5.6 billion as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. In some regions, unit costs increased between 2019 and 2021 by 130% without any changes in performance, as noted by the EU’s Performance Review Body (PRB).

EU Transport Ministers should seize the opportunity for a strong and sustainable European airline industry

EU Transport Ministers should seize the opportunity for a strong and sustainable European airline industry

 

Ahead of today’s transport ministerial meeting in Brussels, Airlines for Europe (A4E) is calling on transport ministers to turn words into action and focus on policies that can help to maintain a strong and competitive European airline industry.

 

Europe has faced multiple crises this year which has highlighted the need to ensure airlines can operate in a cost-efficient manner within a robust single market for aviation.

 

This week marks an important milestone for European aviation with key negotiations due to take place on ReFuelEU, the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and on the Single European Sky. These files will have a significant impact on the future of Europe’s aviation industry so it is crucial to get them right.

 

A4E has written to EU transport ministers outlining key recommendations such as a single Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate to go with ambitious but achievable quotas for SAF, as well as pricing mechanisms to close the gap between SAF and fossil fuel. We also continue to urge member states to seize the opportunity of Single European Sky and its potential 10% reduction in emissions.

 

Commenting ahead of the meetings of ministers and other policymakers this week, Managing Director of A4E Thomas Reynaert said, “Aviation is a critical mode of transport for millions of Europeans and we urge policymakers to focus on implementing policies that can help airlines achieve their ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050 while also maintaining a robust and competitive aviation market in Europe.”

Airlines head into winter season with increased certainty thanks to EU agreement on slot relief

Airlines head into winter season with increased certainty thanks to EU agreement on slot relief

 

A4E says any revision to Slots Regulation should reflect today’s operational realities

 

A4E airlines are heading into the winter season this weekend with more certainty for their operations following the final agreement on slot relief reached between the EU institutions. The agreement, which entered into force this week, ensures that exemptions from the normal slot rules can be granted in circumstances beyond airlines’ control.

A4E maintains that a use rate of seventy percent for winter 2022/23 would have given airlines more flexibility to react to disruptive events in a volatile operational and economic environment, particularly in light of the latest Eurocontrol forecast. This shows air traffic recovering to 84% of 2019 levels this year and only making a full recovery by 2024 at the earliest. However, the final act includes important provisions on justified non-use of slots and simplifies the process for lowering the slot use rate if necessary.*

This weekend will also see the removal of the passenger cap at Heathrow Airport, one of Europe’s largest air hubs. Following the highly disruptive decisions by some European airports to reduce capacity in the middle of this year’s summer season this year, A4E urges airports to ensure that they do not introduce any arbitrary limits on capacity during the winter. This is particularly important if such limits will disrupt the plans of passengers at short notice during the Christmas period, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Statement on European Parliament vote on ReFuel EU from A4E

Earlier this week the European Parliament voted in plenary to adopt a large part of the TRAN Committee’s report to increase the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and support airlines in their climate efforts.

 

Classification of sustainable aviation fuel and use of feedstock: A4E welcomes the additional efforts made by the European Parliament to ensure that SAFs can be a reliable and legitimate way to help decarbonise air transport. By explicitly excluding certain feed and food crop-based fuels, for example fuels made from palm fatty acid distillates (PFAD), intermediate crops and palm or soy-derived distillates, MEPs have further instilled legitimacy in the SAF system. Passengers can now trust that the ramp up of sustainable fuels in the coming years will not occur at the expense of food supplies for people or animals, nor damage our environment. The success of the ReFuel EU Regulation initiative will reside in its capacity to bring predictability and legitimacy in sustainable aviation fuels.

 

Blending targets: Like many other elements of the Fit for 55 package, A4E airlines continue to be concerned that future legislation will price out certain passengers or peripheral regions of Europe, leading to a loss of their air connectivity as well as impact the competitiveness of European aviation and its tourism sector. Because SAFs, and especially e-fuels, will remain significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel in the coming years, it is key that targets remain reasonable and that policy-makers work to limit the cost of the energy transition for passengers. Mechanisms such as a system of SAF allowances through the ETS will help bridge the price gap between SAF and conventional fuels, but risk falling short if not designed to offset the full loss of competitiveness and potential carbon leakage.

 

European Transport Ministers have agreed on two Fit for 55 Proposals: A4E cautions further adjustments needed ahead of final negotiations

- ReFuel EU: Adjustments on SAF blending targets, feedstock base and cost mitigation are critical to preserve competition and avoid carbon leakage.

- AFIR: A full exemption for the smallest airports to provide electrical ground power to aircraft is needed.

- Positions taken by EU Transport Ministers will help shape aviation’s future decarbonisation, but corrections are paramount.

                                    European Transport Ministers have agreed on two critical Fit for 55 legislative proposals which will shape the future decarbonisation of European aviation: The ReFuel EU Aviation and Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Once finalised, these two regulations will send important signals to the market and to the public regarding efforts needed to decarbonise air transport both in the air and on the ground. The Council position agreed today will now move to final negotiations with the European Commission and the European Parliament in the coming months before becoming law. During this “trilogue” process, A4E is calling for several adjustments to the two proposals which are critical for Europe’s airlines:

 

ReFuel EU Aviation: Revert to EC-proposed blending targets and EC definition of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); Ensure a harmonised EU blending approach and solidify cost support mechanisms (e.g. SAF allowances scheme)

 

A4E supports the original European Commission (EC) blending targets of 2% SAF by 2025 and 5% SAF by 2030 and urges all parties to align under these targets.

 

"The original targets as proposed by the EC were ambitious, but realistic. Any higher targets would further erode European airlines’ competitiveness and lead to carbon leakage by creating cost advantages for non-European airlines, especially those with transfer hubs just outside the EU – making non-EU tourism destinations more attractive”, said Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E).