A new airline association has been set up with the aim to influence European aviation policy and tackle issues such as rising airport costs and air traffic controller strikes.
Five of Europe’s largest airlines have joined together to create the association Airlines for Europe (A4E) – Air France-KLM, Easyjet, IAG, Lufthansa and Ryanair.
The group was formed after British Airways owner IAG left the main lobby group for full-service airlines, the Association of European Airlines, over what it saw as its “ineffectiveness”
There were also clashes over the association's views on the threat from Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
The five A4E chief executives – Alexandre de Juniac, Carolyn McCall, Willie Walsh, Carsten Spohr and Michael O’Leary – issued a joint statement: “We welcome the European Commission’s Aviation Strategy for a stronger and more competitive European aviation industry.
“But we need to act now – large scale airport monopolies, high charges, taxation and inefficiencies characterise the aviation supply chain.
“We want to work with the Commission and the member states to implement the strategy, and we call on the member states to support the work of the Commission to reduce monopoly supplier costs.”
A4E said it will campaign on at least three issues:
- Reduction of European airport costs
- Provide safe and efficient airspace by reducing the cost of air traffic control
- Stimulate greater economic activity and employment by creating an appropriate regulatory framework
The five airlines between them carry more than 50 per cent of passengers in Europe.
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