Challenged EU aviation sector needs efficient Single Sky

The European Commission’s aviation strategy presented today comes timely and is supported by European business because European aviation is facing severe challenges:

• high costs;
• looming capacity constraints;
• remaining fragmentation of the Single European Sky;
• increased pressure from new competitors and emerging markets.

BUSINESSEUROPE’s Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented: “A strong aviation sector in Europe supports more than 5 million jobs and adds more than 2% to EU GDP.  The strategy rightly focuses on investment, market access, reducing costs and increasing efficiency”.

BUSINESSEUROPE wants swift agreement on the Single European Sky 2+ package and better implementation of previous packages to ensure more effective coordination and management of the European airspace. As a comparison, the United States control the same amount of airspace, with more traffic, at almost half the cost.

European airlines and airports compete in a global market. Therefore a more ambitious external EU aviation policy is essential.

 “We need an international level playing field and better access to growing markets. At the same time, it is important to create an attractive investment climate to support European airlines”, said Beyrer.

The success of the strategy will depend on the details of the proposed measures and commitment from EU member states to make concrete progress to support aviation in Europe.

Background: The aviation strategy presented today was preceded by a European Commission public consultation. You will find BUSINESSEUROPE’s contribution here.