Calls for reform of European airport charges, air traffic control and travel taxes were made yesterday in Brussels to coincide with World Tourism Day.
Lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E) joined policymakers during a high-level conference on tourism which heard that more than one billion passengers are expected in Europe this year.
A4E managing director Thomas Reynaert said: “A4E supports the first priority of the European Commission which is boosting jobs, growth and investment.
“Therefore, European policymakers need to support initiatives leading to more travel, more investment, more trade and ultimately increased jobs and growth.
“This can be reached through a better reliability of air navigation services and a minimisation of the impact of air traffic control strikes or an abolition of aviation taxes.
“Especially parts of southern Europe affected by youth unemployment would benefit from lowering the cost of air access which would boost tourism and economic activity generally, with a direct positive spill-over on job creation.”
A reform of the EU airport charges directive would allow for regulation for the real bottlenecks at airports with market power.
A4E called on the commission in June to boost the competitiveness of Europe’s airports through an urgent revision of the directive.
“Today, airport charges represent up to 20% of an airline’s operational cost. Various studies revealed that airport charges have nearly doubled over the last 10 years, while net fares dropped by 20% in the same period,” Reynaert said.
“The current airport charges directive failed to deliver meaningful consultation and effective transparency in the setting of charges.
“Now, the European Commission needs to move quickly to help reducing excessive charges and create better market conditions for passengers and the tourism sector.”