As announced in our previous newsletter, EUROPE 11984, the European Parliament’s transport committee has voted strongly (28 votes to 9, with 2 abstentions) to approve the draft report by Markus Pieper (EPP, Germany) on the revision of Regulation 868/2004 on addressing unfair competition from third country airlines affecting European air carriers.
Adoption of the report, which is in line with the European Commission proposal of 8 June 2018 (see EUROPE 11804), comes as no surprise as the compromise amendments were largely supported by the EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA Groups. The final text will be robust so as to make it possible to put sanctions in place against third country airlines, it never having been possible to use the current regulation.
Thanking his colleagues for their support, Pieper said that the new revised regulation would give “European airlines an effective tool to enforce fair competition”. “We need to use the current favourable economic situation to prepare for worse times and potential trade disputes also in the area of air transport”, he added.
The committee mandated Pieper to negotiate an agreement with the Council of the EU. Discussions, however, are still continuing within the Council working groups (see EUROPE 11983). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)