Brussels, 24/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - European airport trade body ACI Europe launched its vision of the future of European aviation policy in Brussels on Tuesday 23 February. The launch took place at a reception hosted by the chairman of the European Parliament (EP) committee on transport & tourism, Brian Simpson. The event was attended by Members of the European Parliament, along with officials from the European Commission, EU member states, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Eurocontrol and ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference). ACI Europe's policy outlook “Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century” reflects the business transformation which European airports have undergone in recent years, primarily driven by increasing competition and changing attitudes from governments. Taking stock of the new economic fundamentals in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, the publication advocates a new way of looking at airports - treating them as businesses in their own right. Looking ahead, the policy outlook calls upon the European institutions to be proactive in addressing the four major challenges facing Europe's airports today, tomorrow and in the decades to come: airport capacity, the environment, global connectivity and aviation security.
Ad Rutten, President of ACI Europe said: “The ability of the European Union to address these four key challenges will essentially define how European airports, and more generally European aviation, will look like in the next 20 years - and what benefits we can bring to society through enhanced and more efficient mobility”. (VLB/transl.rt)