EC adopts measure to support open aviation markets

The European Commission on Thursday adopted a series of measures to further support open and connected aviation markets in the European Union (EU) and beyond.

The "Open and Connected Aviation" package aims to safeguard competition and connectivity in aviation, facilitate investments in European airlines and enhance the efficiency and connectivity of European skies, according to the Commission.

These four initiatives consist of a legislative proposal for a regulation on safeguarding competition in air transport; interpretative guidelines on ownership and control of EU airlines; interpretative guidelines on public services obligations; and practices facilitating continuity of air traffic management.

In December 2015, the Commission adopted the aviation strategy for Europe in order to ensure that aviation can continue to drive mobility, growth and job creation in the EU.

The priorities are to maintain leadership in international aviation, to tackle limits to growth in European skies and to enhance the efficiency of European skies by reducing fragmentation and by minimizing air traffic disruption.

Aviation is crucial for the EU, which creates jobs, drives economic growth, facilitates trade and allows people to travel. Thus, the initiatives will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council of European Union. Once adopted, it will apply to all EU member states.

According to official data, European aviation represents 26 percent of the world market, contributing 510 billion euros annually to Europe's GDP, and supporting 9.3 million jobs in Europe.