MEPs debated the impact of the health crisis on the airline industry in their plenary session on Thursday 8 July, with a focus on the impact of the pandemic on working conditions and employment.
“Despite some developments, we are concerned that the difficulties in the airline industry will lead to further cost cutting and job losses. Companies that have received aid must comply with the rules”, said Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (Renew Europe, Slovakia).
“We cannot accept a reduction in wages”, added Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (EPP, Portugal). And she went on to ask: “The legislature must provide support for those who lose their jobs. Can the commission guarantee the work of those in companies that have received aid?”.
To limit the damage, MEPs are counting on several levers. Starting with the revision of Regulation 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the EU.
On this point, several Members of Parliament insisted on the need to obtain, in addition to guarantees, a timetable from the European Commission.
“A Commission proposal can be expected in the 4th quarter of 2022. Two studies, including an impact assessment, are being carried out in parallel in order to propose something useful”, replied Commissioner for Transport Adina-Ioana Vălean.
Some MEPs also stressed their attachment to the principle of conditionality in the allocation of state aid, and regretted that the granting of these amounts was not linked to social and environmental commitments.
“Thirty billion in aid has been allocated without any ecological commitment. Under the Green Deal, blank cheques cannot be written with taxpayers’ money. Real measures are needed to stop social dumping, which gives an advantage to air transport, while 2021 is the year of rail”, said Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France).
Several MEPs also called on the Commission, in its future work, to clarify certain rules and definitions.
“Since the 1990s, conditions have been steadily deteriorating, with outsourcing. Staff recruited from other countries should not earn less than local staff. The concepts of head office and operational base need to be defined. Some companies set up bases in Ireland to avoid their obligations. The Commission is burying its head in the sand. We are waiting for answers. Please act quickly”, implored Johan Danielsson (S&D, Sweden). (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)