At a meeting hosted by ERA at Eurocontrol Headquarters in Brussels, airline associations from all over the globe met to exchange information and discuss key issues affecting the aviation industry.
With only two months ahead of the UK leaving the EU, the event began with a discussion on Brexit, led by ERA and Airlines for America (A4A). Developments have continued to be slow, without full clarity of policy for the aviation industry and with a growing likelihood of a ‘no-deal’ outcome, which could have disastrous consequences. The objective of the session was therefore to highlight the implications of a hard Brexit versus a comprehensive aviation agreement and a transition period with regards to UK exclusion from EASA, and certifications. The session also provided an update on US–UK Aviation Agreement and discussed how the US envisages UK–EU aviation relations to operate post Brexit.
Another session addressed industry skills shortage, aimed to collaborate on how we can jointly propose actions to attract, recruit and retain more pilots and technicians and how to encourage more women into the industry. Participants also discussed the differences amongst the international regimes in terms of consumer protection rules, safety and security regulatory oversight, CORSIA and infrastructure.
ERA Director General, Montserrat Barriga, said: “This event was an important step towards further growing the close relationship between ERA and other key airline associations for the great benefit of the airline industry. This highly-productive meeting has reaffirmed the importance of working closely with our partners and contributes to the valuable strategic work by all associations in representing the global aviation community.”
In addition, attendees heard from industry guest speakers Eamonn Brennan, Director General, Eurocontrol and Henrik Hololei, Director General, DG MOVE, European Commission.
