European pilots oppose additional German traffic rights for UAE airlines

The European Cockpit Association (ECA) has urged Germany not to grant additional traffic rights to airlines from the United Arab Emirates unless fair competition and social standards are guaranteed.

Ahead of a meeting between German officials and the UAE president, the association warned that expanding market access could redirect more Europe–Asia traffic through Gulf hubs, potentially affecting European airlines, airports and aviation jobs.

ECA argues that European and UAE airlines operate under unequal conditions. In particular, EU carriers generally avoid Russian airspace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Emirates continues to use it. According to the association, this provides shorter routings and lower operating costs on some Asian services. ECA also criticised UAE airlines for expanding their Russian operations during the conflict.

However, the pilots’ organisation said its position should not be interpreted as opposition to competition. It also cautioned established European airlines against using their market position to restrict rivals while fares remain high and service quality declines.

ECA called on Germany and EU institutions to assess future traffic-rights decisions against their effects on employment, social standards, climate obligations, European hubs and strategic autonomy. The association represents more than 44,000 pilots across Europe.