On
6 November, the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European
Parliament voted on the so-called airport package, i.e. the European
Commission’s proposals on airport slots, groundhandling and
noise. The voting took place following extensive discussions on the
comprehensive package of measures to address capacity shortages, to
reduce noise at European airports and to improve the quality of
services offered to passengers.
“The
Association of European Airlines calls on European policy-makers to
adopt a regulation which encourages competition, improves service
quality at airports and provides the fertile soil for aviation,which
contributes to the growth of the European economy” said Athar
Husain Khan, acting Secretary General of the Association of European
Airlines.European airlines deplore the decision of the Transport Committee to reject the Commission’s proposal to open up groundhandling services such as baggage and passenger handling to more competition at European airports. As a result of the European Parliament’s decision, the groundhandling market will remain limited to only two suppliers at some of the largest European airports, thereby protecting existing monopolies and depriving both passengers and airlines of more efficient and competitive groundhandling services.
AEA also regrets that the European Parliament failed to recognise the value of the air transport sector for the European economy by privileging operating restrictions to address noise at European airports, when the same environmental benefits could be achieved through measures that do not further aggravate the capacity crunch.
