Europe’s airline sector has reached a critical turning point. Europe’s leaders now face a clear choice: support connectivity and airline competitiveness, or accept higher fares, fewer routes, and weaker links with the rest of the world. The large-scale airspace shutdowns in the Middle East have once again demonstrated both the resilience of European aviation and the vital role EU airlines and hubs play in maintaining global connectivity.
As Heads of State and Government met in Brussels for the A4E Summit, they called for immediate corrective action to protect Europe’s competitiveness and connectivity:
- Deliver a pro-competitiveness EU Aviation Strategy 2.0
- Align the EU ETS with CORSIA
- Reduce costs to make the 6% SAF mandate achievable; the e-SAF sub-mandate is now untenable
- Avoid EU261 reforms that would increase passenger costs and reduce connectivity
- Fix Europe’s broken air traffic management system
- Reform airport charges while preserving the slots regime
- Restore a European policy framework that recognizes the strategic value of aviation
10 years of A4E: What’s next for Europe’s aviation strategy?
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe, stated in her speech that aviation has succeeded in becoming accessible to everyone. She emphasized that the war has served both as a test and a testament to the sector’s resilience. Despite challenges, people still want—and need—to fly. She also highlighted that aviation contributes approximately 4% to Europe’s GDP.
Dr Kostas Iatrou, Director General of HERMES represented the organisation.