Aviation industry welcomes European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy as it readies decarbonisation roadmap

Five leading European aviation associations, representing aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports and air navigation service providers have welcomed the ambition of the European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, published earlier today. The Strategy is aligned with and reinforces the sector’s existing commitments towards a sustainable post-crisis future for aviation – and sets the stage for concrete decarbonisation proposals which will be unveiled next month.

Airlines 4 Europe - Airlines and Airports call on EU/EEA and UK Governments to immediately abolish passenger quarantines as EASA/ECDC guidelines confirm their ineffectiveness

EASA/ECDC “Guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantine of air travellers1” unequivocally reject quarantines in current epidemiological situation, where transmission of the virus is already widespread.

Guidelines confirm air travellers account for <1% of all detected COVID-19 cases and do not increase the rate of COVID-19 transmission.

Aviation associations urge governments to consider rapid testing technologies and success of travel corridors to help restore passenger confidence and support early detection of asymptomatic cases.

European and international aviation associations are urging  European governments to immediately abolish quarantine measures and other travel restrictions following new Recommendations published by EASA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC), which unequivocally reject their use in the current situation – where transmission of the virus is already widespread.

The EASA/ECDC “Guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantine of air travellers: Addendum to the Aviation Health Safety Protocol” also confirm that air travellers account for less than one percent of all detected COVID-19 cases and do not increase the rate of virus transmission.

“These Guidelines unequivocally show quarantines to be essentially politically-driven, non-risk-based measures which bear no relation to what is actually needed to safeguard public health. As such, quarantines fail the test of proportionality, a key principle of EU law – particularly since there are no equivalent measures at land borders. This has resulted in unprecedented limitations to the freedom of movement and the freedom to provide services. We call on national governments to immediately abolish their quarantine restrictions and restore freedom of movement for European citizens”, said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE

A4E’s Proposals for a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has issued another proposal,  this time relating to sustainable and smart mobility strategy.   A4E was launched in 2016 and has become one of Europe’s largest airline association, based in Brussels. Current members include Aegean, airBaltic, Air France-KLM Group, Cargolux, easyJet, Finnair, Icelandair, International Airlines Group (IAG), Jet2.com, Lufthansa Group, Norwegian, Ryanair Holdings, Smartwings, TAP Air Portugal, TUI and Volotea. 

This paper sets out A4E’s position on the European Commission’s planned comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility, setting a pathway for European air transport’s sustainable and digital transition and building a resilient and crisis-proof transport system for generations to come.

Production and Deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels in Europe

European airlines are exploring pathways towards a net-zero, or low-carbon European air transport through reduction of CO2 emissions in absolute terms and CO2 mitigation. The use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is generally considered as one of the most realistic and effective means to reduce aviation CO2 emissions in the next decades. In order to reap the benefits of SAFs, Europe needs a dedicated, innovative aviation fuels industrial strategy including financing and legislation.

The European Commission’s Green Deal foresees to consider legislative options to boost the production and uptake of SAFs. This paper sets out guiding principles for any future legislation on SAFs. It also suggests solutions to support development of SAFs in Europe and provides policy recommendations on the development of a European policy framework.

Three aviation bodies set out common framework for pre-departure testing at airports so they can re-establish freedom of movement in Europe......

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Three of the big aviation bodies in Europe have come together to call on governments and European leaders to lift quarantine restrictions and introduce mass testing for coronavirus COVID-19 at airports. to help reopen Europe. 

ACI EUROPE, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and IATA have called on authorities and governments to work together for the benefit of the whole aviation industry.  They have now submitted a framework for how an EU-wide Testing Protocol for Travel (EU-TPT)  could actually work. 

In follow up letters sent to the Commission President and Heads of State, as well as Health Ministers across Europe, these three aviation business associations have set out their proposal for harmonised pre-departure testing from high-risk areas, describing the current situation of patchwork quarantine restrictions as “unsustainable”.  

Aviation industry data confirms the worsening situation. IATA figures show air traffic to, from and within Europe is down by 66.3% year to date. Latest figures from ACI EUROPE reveal that as of 27 September, passenger traffic in the EU had further plunged to -78%.   

New research released by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions suggests the collapse of air traffic could result in a 52% drop in employment supported by aviation in Europe, equating to the loss of around 7 million jobs. Nearly €450 billion in economic activity will be lost. Urgent action is therefore required to prevent an even greater economic and employment catastrophe.

Unprecedented industry appeal to European Commission President to end quarantines and develop common EU Testing Protocol

Unprecedented industry appeal to European Commission President to end quarantines and develop common EU Testing Protocol

Over 20 EU Travel and Tourism Associations issue open letter to President von der Leyen following further dramatic decreases in air passenger traffic 

Brussels, 18 September 2020: 25 travel and tourism bodies as well as unions across Europe united today in an unprecedented call for European Commission leadership to replace quarantine restrictions with an EU Testing Protocol for Travel in a bid to save the livelihoods of more than 27 million Europeans who work in the sector.

In an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the groups – which represent over 5,000 member companies and their workers, point to a continued lack of co-ordination and diverging travel restrictions as crippling their business. The letter is signed by representatives from across the tourism and travel sector and their workers, including airlines, airports, railways, ground handlers, caterers, travel retailers, air navigation service providers, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, cafes, travel agents, road transport operators and logistics services, camp sites, holiday parks, taxi operators, tourism boards and authorities and all their associated supply chains.

Open letter to Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission

Launched in 2016, Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association, based in Brussels. The organisation advocates on behalf of its members to help shape EU aviation policy to the benefit of consumers, ensuring a continued safe and competitive air transport market. With more than 720 million passengers carried each year, A4E members account for more than 70 per cent of the continent’s journeys, operating more than 3,000 aircraft and generating more than EUR 130 billion in annual turnover. 

Members with air cargo and mail activities transport more than 5 million tons of goods each year to more than 360 destinations either by freighters or passenger aircraft. Current members include Aegean, airBaltic, Air France-KLM Group, Cargolux, easyJet, Finnair, Icelandair, International Airlines Group (IAG), Jet2.com, Lufthansa Group, Norwegian, Ryanair Holdings, Smartwings, TAP Air Portugal, TUI and Volotea. In 2019, A4E was named “Airline & Aviation Business Development Organisation of the Year” by International Transport News.

The open letter is listed below. 

Coordination of COVID-19 travel restrictions between Member States

Airlines for Europe (A4E) welcomes the renewed efforts of the European Commission (proposed Council Recommendation from 04.09 1) and the initiative from the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union to improve coordination on cross-border travel and restore the integrity of the EU / Schengen area. This is a critical step for the re-establishment of air services of European airlines and the economic recovery.

Over the last six months, an increasing number of uncoordinated national measures have not only impacted the freedom of movement in the EU, but also had significant knock-on effects on the European travel and tourism sector. Member States adopted diverging measures, often implemented at very short notice, based on different criteria, and not sufficiently coordinated with other Member States.

While some Europeans were keen to take a plane to enjoy their summer holidays or travel for business, the chaotic border restrictions along with confusion about quarantines, passenger registrations and test requirements have led citizens and businesses across Europe to decide not to fly. As a result, although July saw a small recovery in the number of flights and passenger traffic, these figures have stalled in August – with only 30% of 2019 travellers accounted for.

This issue should be a political priority for the Council of the EU. A4E has consistently called for a common European approach to travel restrictions providing EU citizens, airlines and their passenger's clarity, predictability, and confidence in our air transport system. Such an approach should rely on:

Arlines 4 Europe warn the reopening of external EU borders could be jeopardised by uncoordinated national measures

EU countries are not adhering to the EU Council recommendations, creating a patchwork system of travel restrictions & border controls throughout Europe — thus eroding consumer confidence.
Europe’s airlines and airports urge Member States to follow their own  agreed scientific-based approach and do away with politics during critical reopening phase.

Despite agreeing at EU Council level to a scientific-based approach and endorsing their own “white list”1 recommendation just one week ago, EU States are adopting extremely diverging lists. As a result, there is very little clarity and significant uncertainty on which citizens can travel where. This has effectively led to a patchwork system of travel restrictions and border controls throughout Europe which may remain in place for weeks or months to come. The situation also weakens the functioning of the Schengen area: since Member States apply different rules, a Japanese tourist could choose to fly to Warsaw and then travel within the Schengen space without controls.

Open Letter to EU Ministers and European Commissioners on EU COVID-19 Green Recovery Funding for the Decarbonisation of Civil Aviation

• Sectors hardest hit by the crisis require particular attention and assistance.
• Funding for decarbonisation projects and future technologies must be prioritised.
• Sustainable air transport and tourism are key for Europe’s green recovery.

With the gradual restarting of passenger air transport in the coming weeks, leaders from over a dozen air transport associations1 representing Europe’s aviation sector, including A4E, today issued an urgent call for EU leaders to prioritise specific decarbonisation initiatives in their allocation of future COVID-19 recovery funding.

Airlines for Europe want regulators to extend slot waiver until next year

A4E Urges European Regulators to Swiftly Extend Airport Slots Waiver Through Winter 2020/2021 Season Due to Continued COVID-19 Uncertainties

Continued flexibility is needed for recovering aviation industry  to respond to unpredictable passenger demand related to the health crisis.
Extended waiver should be granted no later than 31 July to provide much-needed certainty during critical recovery phase.
Forcing airlines to operate flights in order to retain slots would be financially and environmentally irresponsible.

A4E today urged European regulators to swiftly extend the temporary waiver on the airport slots 80/20 rule through the winter 2020/2021 season (from 25 Oct. 2020–27 March 2021) to give airlines and airports flexibility to respond to unpredictable passenger demand due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and to support the sector’s recovery.

COVID-19 Crisis — Ensuring the Continuity of Cargo Operations

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association, based in Brussels. The organisation advocates on behalf of its members to help shape EU aviation policy to the benefit of consumers, ensuring a continued safe and competitive air transport market. Air cargo has proven essential since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in bringing essential goods (food, critical medicines, protective equipment, etc) to Europe and maintaining global value chains. When supply chains break down in times of crisis, only air cargo can help within hours worldwide — and it has done so under the most difficult conditions over the last few months, illustrating its systemic relevance.

Before the crisis, approximately half of air cargo was carried in the belly of passenger aircraft. With most passenger flights grounded, freighters are in high demand and many passenger aircraft are being re-purposed and used for cargo-only flights. Even though the sector has been playing its part to offer additional capacity and respond to specific COVID-19 related demand, it remains to be seen how the general industry and consumer demand will develop in the coming weeks and months. We, therefore, call on the European Commission and national governments to support the essential role air cargo continues to play by removing unnecessary obstacles.

A4E welcomed the Commission’s guidelines from 26 March on “Facilitating Air Cargo Operations during COVID-19 outbreak”, and we believe that continued attention needs to be placed on air cargo as the EU and its Member States work on exit strategies from the crisis.

In order to ensure the return to normal operations as soon as possible, the following elements need to be acted upon or taken into consideration:

A4E Urges Member States to Coordinate Reopening of EU Borders and Reinstate Freedom of Movement for European Travellers

Mutual recognition of health and safety measures must be agreed to avoid drastic measures such as quarantines.
Coordinated lifting of travel bans and border restrictions will allow citizens to safely plan and enjoy their well-deserved summer holidays.

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has urged national governments to reopen EU borders in a truly coordinated way and reinstate freedom of movement for EU citizens as quickly and as safely as possible. EU countries must mutually recognise health and safety regulations to avoid measures such as quarantines, which are highly disruptive for travellers and will impede the swift recovery of Europe’s travel and tourism industry.

A4E welcomed recent European Commission guidelines1 calling for a restoration of freedom of movement in the EU in a coordinated way, based on scientific advice. Ahead of tomorrow’s (20 May) meeting of EU Tourism Ministers, and in line with A4E’s Reconnect Strategy, A4E urges national authorities to: