The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) said carriers
must join forces to lobby for government support to survive the coronavirus
crisis and “remain instrumental in rebuilding the new European economy” once
the pandemic is over.
The ERA made the call as nine more carriers signed up to
become members of the association – Aircompany Armenia, Air Mediterranean,
Cyprus Airways, Ellinair, Georgian Airways, Orange2Fly, Sevenair, Stobart Air
and West Atlantic – bringing the total number of airline members to 61.
According to the association, it has been lobbying
governments for several weeks on behalf of its overall membership of more than
200 companies in the aviation industry.
Montserrat Barriga, ERA director general, said: “The situation
is like nothing we have ever witnessed before, not in our lifetime or indeed our
industry’s history. It’s at times like this that we need to come together to
ensure our future and that of air transport globally. Solidarity has never been
more needed, and we are pleased to welcome all of these new carriers to ERA,
who agree we have a better chance to survive these challenging times by working
together as one.
“Europe needs to acknowledge that aviation will be
instrumental in its economic recovery, and paramount in the weeks and months to
come in reuniting families and friends with their loved ones by providing vital
connectivity.”