Brussels, 26/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday and Wednesday 24-25 March, the International Air Carrier Association (IACA) held its annual assembly in Brussels. On this occasion, its members adopted four messages on competitiveness in the European aviation industry.
Firstly, they emphasised that airlines would be more competitive if infrastructure were more affordable, particularly at a level of traffic control and airports. Secondly, they said that, “the EU should not regulate in isolation” but attempt to restore “a genuine level playing field with the rest of the world”. Thirdly they call for closer collaboration between the European institutions and airlines and explained that “the airlines would be better understood and served if the various decision-makers in Europe establish a closer cooperation”. Finally, they call for “a harmonised and standardised implementation of the European Aviation Safety Agency rules, and mutual recognition of certificates issued by third countries with an equivalent level of Safety”.
Christoph Debus, IACA vice-president, described the current costs as “unjustifiably excessive” and explained that lower costs would “ultimately translate into lower fares for the travelling public and a stronger competitive position for airlines”. (Jean Comte)