The heads of Europe’s major airlines have issued an urgent call to EU leaders for regulatory reform, warning that without immediate action, the region’s aviation competitiveness and connectivity are at risk.
The CEOs said that more than a year into the current EU term, little progress has been made on key issues such as the cost of doing business, airspace resilience, and the transition to net zero. Europe’s airline industry contributes over 4% of EU GDP and supports more than 12 million jobs, but carriers face mounting challenges compared to global rivals not subject to the same regulatory burdens.
Key concerns include:
Air Traffic Management Failures – Airlines cited over 12 million minutes of delays this summer due to fragmented airspace and insufficient capacity. They urged the EU to introduce mandatory arbitration before strikes, advance notice for industrial action, and protection for overflights to prevent widespread disruption.
Passenger Compensation Rules – Current three-hour delay compensation rules were described as unrealistic. Extending the threshold to five hours could reduce cancellations and emissions. Airlines also rejected political calls for mandatory free cabin bags, arguing that passengers prefer lower fares and flexibility.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Costs – Carriers have stated that SAF mandates have created unaffordable price distortions due to insufficient supply and lack of transparency. They called for stronger EU support through investment incentives, multi-year allowances, book-and-claim systems, and a CBAM-like mechanism to prevent carbon leakage and protect EU competitiveness.
The CEOs warned that without reforms by year-end, Europe risks losing traffic, jobs, and emissions control to non-EU hubs. They urged the European Commission to launch a Strategic Dialogue for European Aviation, similar to initiatives for other key industries.
“There is only one choice for Europe,” the group concluded. “Bold action today to maintain a resilient and competitive airline sector tomorrow.”