Some of Europe's biggest carriers say "multiple crises can no longer be used as excuses to delay airspace reform" in the continent, according to industry body Airlines for Europe (A4E), which said airlines were left "on the hook" for €5.6bn in costs related to the "Covid crisis".
Chief executives of airlines and carrier groups have said "the time for excuses is over as traffic levels get closer to their pre-Covid 2019 peak", meaning the need for a "seamless and digitalised airspace is more pressing than ever".
"In recent years there has been massive innovation and reform in various aspects of flying in Europe, from new aircraft technology to widespread digitalisation," Airlines for Europe said in a statement, adding that "the pace of reform with Europe’s airspace has failed to match this".
“Half a decade ago, airlines, ANSPs and other aviation stakeholders signed the Efficient Airspace Declaration calling for a proper regulatory framework for airspace in Europe that would lead to a more digitalised, automated and seamless airspace. Since then, there has been no movement from policymakers who continue to let the opportunity of airspace reform pass by,” said Laurent Donceel, acting managing director of A4E.
“By reforming air traffic management, European aviation could run more efficiently for passengers and with lower carbon emissions. That’s why at A4E, we are calling for the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to take part in discussions and make progress on the Single European Sky implementation and the EU Commission’s proposed legislation (SES2+)," said incoming A4E chair Luis Gallego, chief executive of Iberia and British Airways parent company International Airlines Group (IAG).