With the gradual restarting of passenger air transport in the coming weeks, leaders from over a dozen air transport associations[1] representing Europe’s aviation sector, including A4E, today issued an urgent call for EU leaders to prioritise specific decarbonisation initiatives in their allocation of future COVID-19 recovery funding.
European aviation continues to reel from the sudden collapse of the air transport system the last months and is amongst the sectors most heavily impacted. But these challenges are compounded by the need to meet ambitious climate change goals going forward. Ensuring an accelerated deployment of existing decarbonisation solutions and adequate investments to bring new technologies forward will be key – investments which should be at the heart of the EU’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. In the meantime, existing financial instruments, such as loans, could also be made available to provide urgent relief.
Europe’s aviation sector is committed to contributing to the recovery of European economies in line with the Green Deal objectives, and to the benefit of all. The sector, therefore, calls on policymakers to include smart measures to support Europe’s civil aviation sector during its recovery. This requires ensuring that aviation climate action is eligible for funding under the mechanisms foreseen by Next Generation EU and the new Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).
“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to accelerate the sustainable transformation of our aviation sector and have European airlines set the example. These support measures will help our industry regain its economic viability, paving the way for a more resilient tourism sector and safeguarding our ability to continue to invest in decarbonisation”, said Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E).
A combination of public and private investment is necessary to allow air transport leaders to speed up work to decarbonise the sector – in line with the EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Specific proposals include:
[1]Aerospace & Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD); Airlines International Representation in Europe (AIRE); Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE); Airlines for Europe (A4E); European Regions Airline Association (ERA); Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO); European Helicopter Association (EHA); European Business Aviation Association (EBAA); European Travel Commission (ETC); Ceemet – European Tech & Industry Employers; General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); International Air Transport Association (IATA); International Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association – Europe (IAOPA Europe)
Brussels, 24 June 2020
This post was published on 24 June 2020 12:25
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