Brussels, 22/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 April 2015, the International Air Carrier Association (IACA) joined the debate on what has been described as unfair competition from Gulf airline companies (see EUROPE 11277). It is, however, concerned that this debate could divert stakeholders away from competitiveness problems stemming from poor application of European policies.
According to IACA, “the competitiveness challenge faced by the European airlines has its roots in inadequate, discriminatory and poorly implemented European policies”. It highlights the high costs of air traffic control and airport traffic. IACA asserts that “It would be ill-advised to let the Commission and the member states believe that they can escape a real debate on what is really dragging the airlines down: the prohibitive cost of the European infrastructure”.
IACA's Secretary General, Sylviane Lust, concluded that the “IACA urges the new Commission and the member states to acknowledge that they hold the key to restoring the competitiveness of the European airline sector”. (Jean Comte)