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Airport Industry Manifesto for the Next EU Political Cycle (2024-2029)

Sustainable and Competitive Connectivity

- for Passengers, Communities and the Planet

 

With Europe about to start a new political cycle spanning the next 5 years, the European airport community is hereby presenting its contribution to the EU institutions on transport policy.

The 2020 Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy - which the European aviation sector fully supported - has laid the foundation for how the EU transport system can become climate neutral through a green and digital transformation, while also becoming more resilient against future crises. Flagship goals - including the uptake of renewable and low carbon aviation fuels, the market readiness of zero-emission aircraft and the development of zero-emission airports are now being progressed through new and disruptive legislation. In particular the Refuel EU, AFIR and revision of the EU ETS for aviation which were all adopted in 2023.

Therefore, the new political cycle must be focused on implementation - to make sure we make mobility and transport fully sustainable by 2050 at the latest.

The impending transformations touching all aviation industry stakeholders, in particular for airports, airlines and ground handlers, are truly daunting and fraught with risks. Ultimately, what is at stake is the future of air connectivity – and its unique role in supporting livelihoods and jobs, territorial equality and cohesion as well as a strengthened European identity.

Addressing this implementation challenge will require further adaptations and accompanying measures, so that Europe effectively delivers on sustainable and competitive air connectivity - for passengers, communities and the planet.


Against this backdrop, the Airport Industry Manifesto:

  • Takes stock of the current situation and outlook for the sector.
  • Reviews the key challenges faced by Europe’s airports today.
  • Proposes 3 strategic priorities for EU aviation policy.

 

Uveil the sections below to find out more about the 3 key priorities for EU aviation policy. 

 

  • ENABLE EFFECTIVE DECARBONISATION FOR AVIATION – WHILE PRESERVING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF AIR CONNECTIVITY

    The Fit for 55 package comes with significant risks for air connectivity, which in turn might badly hurt cohesion and competitiveness. Accompanying measures and flexibility mechanisms are thus needed to secure the twin objectives of decarbonising aviation and preserving air connectivity:

    • Effective support to ensure SAF production in Europe meets both the targets set under RefuelEU and voluntary commitments from airlines - and bridge the price gap with conventional fuels.

    • Delivering (finally) the Single European Sky.

    • Abolishing national aviation taxes.

    • Preserving the ability of smaller regional airports to receive operating aid under the EU State aid Guidelines for aviation beyond 2027.

    • Launching a dedicated EU Strategy for Intermodality.

  • SAFEGUARD AND REINFORCE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SINGLE AVIATION MARKET

    SAFEGUARD AND REINFORCE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SINGLE AVIATION MARKET

    The Single Aviation Market has been instrumental in implementing the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the EU treaties, ensuring cohesion and equality – as well as supporting the competitive position of the EU globally.

    • An urgent and long-overdue revision of EU airport slots rules.

    • Standing firm and uncompromising on the freedom of airlines to provide services and to establish anywhere in the EU.

    • Developing further the external dimension of the Single Aviation Market along with Visa Facilitation Regimes. 

  • ENABLE RESILIENT, DIGITALISED & GREEN AIRPORTS

    ENABLE RESILIENT, DIGITALISED & GREEN AIRPORTS

    The fundamental transformation of Europe’s airports towards a new value creation model based on increased resilience, digitalisation and environmental sustainability will require:

    • Access by airports to massive volumes of green energy as well as the development of new on-site green energy production, storage and distribution facilities. The investments needed for that will in turn require both the generation of commensurate revenues and targeted public financing.

    • Recognition that airports are best placed to be in control of their operations and the way their facilities are used by airlines and other stakeholders – based on collaboration with these stakeholders through the concept of ‘Total Airport Management’.

    • Effective protection against cyber and physical security risks.

    Policy and regulations have a crucial supporting role to play in these regards, both at EU and national level by:

    • Ensuring that airports’ green energy needs are fully factored in the EU Energy Policy - with EU financial instruments effectively supporting related investments.

    • Fully abiding by the ‘user pays’ principle for airport charges, along with market and environmentally driven regulation at national level.

    • Allowing airports to sell goods duty free to arriving passengers.

    • EU Financial support to SESAR Research & Development as well as Deployment in the next multi-annual financial EU framework - in particular through CEF and Horizon.

    • Developing a fully integrated EU testing and certification system for security equipment – along with related EU financing (also for airport cyber security capacity building).