The IATA Wings of Change Europe Conference in Rome has concluded with emphasis on the need for collaboration between industry stakeholders and governments to enhance European competitiveness and sustainability in aviation.
Keynote speaker Filip Cornelis highlighted a continued focus on aviation sustainability and competitiveness following the release of the Draghi Report.
The CEO panel advocated for reforms in EU airline regulations and raised concerns about the implications of increased airline taxes on travel access and environmental benefits.
Willie Walsh underscored the impact of overregulation on Europe’s global competitiveness and called for practical measures like the revival of the Single European Sky to achieve significant emission reductions.
Delegates were told that, according to the Draghi report, Europeans are regulating at more than double the pace of the United States. From 2019 to 2024, the U.S. enacted approximately 3,400 pieces of legislation and around 2,000 resolutions, while Europe produced about 13,000 legislative acts during the same period. Reducing Europe’s excessive regulatory burden could significantly enhance its competitiveness.
Delegates were told that a potential starting point for improvement is reforming the EU 261 consumer regulations, which are currently complicated, costing €5bn annually without leading to necessary improvements in the aviation system’s poorly performing sectors or enhancing the flying experience. Efforts to reform EU 261 have stalled for years, making it essential for the Commissioner to prioritize this issue. Other critical areas requiring attention include airport charges and the performance of air navigation services, as inadequate regulation in these monopoly sectors hampers European competitiveness.
The Draghi Report outlines three key action areas it deems essential for enhancing European competitiveness: innovation, competitive decarbonization, and security through reducing dependencies.
In light of this, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, will have no shortage of issues to tackle in the aviation sector.
