ACI EUROPE defends EU level Open Skies Agreements in response to the Lufthansa Group call for suspension of EU-Qatar Aviation Deal
In a decisive response to the Lufthansa Group’s request to suspend the aviation agreement between the European Union and Qatar, ACI EUROPE has addressed a letter to the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The letter, sent on 19 December 2024, underscores the critical importance of maintaining and expanding EU level Open Skies agreements, which have been instrumental in enhancing air connectivity – and thus fostering economic growth and competitiveness while also solidifying Europe’s position as a global aviation leader.
The Significance of EU Open Skies Agreements
So-called “Open Skies” agreements are international treaties that remove restrictive barriers to air travel, allowing airlines greater flexibility in determining routes, schedules, and fares. These agreements enhance market competition, provide consumers with more travel options at lower prices, and bolster the global competitiveness of Europe’s airports. They are also a pre-condition to granting airlines antitrust immunity in the US for their own alliances and joint ventures. The EU’s External Aviation Policy has long championed such agreements, ensuring that the principles of the EU’s Single Aviation Market—open and unrestricted access to air routes—are extended beyond European borders.
Since the establishment of the EU’s Single Aviation Market in 1993, European aviation has thrived, leading to a remarkable 136% increase in passenger numbers at EU airports. Moreover, air connectivity has proven to be a powerful driver of economic growth, with independent studies showing that a 10% increase in direct air connectivity correlates with a 0.5% increase in GDP per capita. Today, the air transport sector supports 14 million jobs and contributes 5% of Europe’s GDP, underlining its indispensable role in the continent’s economic framework.
ACI EUROPE’s Position Against the Suspension of the EU-Qatar Agreement
ACI EUROPE firmly opposes Lufthansa’s call to suspend the EU-Qatar Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA). According to the letter, rolling back such agreements would severely damage the EU’s international credibility vis-à-vis its main trading partners and harm airports by limiting their ability to expand their route networks and attract new carriers. This, in turn, would reduce consumer choice and affordability, ultimately undermining the competitiveness of the European economy.
A critical aspect of the debate is the claim that the EU-Qatar agreement disproportionately benefits Qatar Airways to the detriment of European carriers. ACI EUROPE, however, highlights that no substantial evidence supports this argument. For instance, data from the Summer 2024 and Winter 2024/25 seasons indicate that Qatar Airways’ seat capacity within the EU market remains 10% and 9.3% below 2019 levels, respectively. It is important to note that debates over the strategy and position of airlines from the Middle East have been dragging on for years and that they tend to be rather sterile.
The Economic and Strategic Value of Air Connectivity
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the EU-Qatar agreement, ACI EUROPE stresses the broader economic and strategic benefits of maintaining and expanding EU Open Skies agreements. The association recalls the joint 2015 paper by ACI EUROPE and the European Travel Commission (ETC), which emphasized how Open Skies policies are pivotal for supporting the tourism sector, job creation, and Europe’s position as the world’s top tourist destination.
Addressing the Competitiveness Gap in European Aviation
ACI EUROPE’s letter also identifies several structural challenges that European aviation faces, which have widened the competitive gap between EU carriers and non-EU airlines, particularly those from the Gulf region. Among the key issues that require urgent action are:
- Aviation Taxes: High tax burdens imposed by European governments increase operational costs for airlines and limit their ability to compete internationally.
- Regulatory Costs: Stringent regulations, particularly those related to the EU’s Fit for 55 climate package, impose additional financial burdens on European airlines.
- Single European Sky (SES) Implementation Failures: The long-standing failure to fully implement the SES project has led to inefficiencies and congestion in European airspace, increasing flight times and fuel consumption.
- Airport Capacity Constraints: Infrastructure limitations hinder airports’ ability to accommodate growing passenger demand and new routes.
Airport Capacity Constraints: Infrastructure limitations hinder airports’ ability to accommodate growing passenger demand and new routes.
ACI EUROPE argues that instead of restricting market access through measures like suspending the EU-Qatar agreement, European policymakers should focus on these systemic issues to enhance the competitiveness of the EU aviation industry.
A Call for a Forward-Looking EU Aviation Strategy
In conclusion, ACI EUROPE calls for a bold and visionary EU strategy prioritising sustainable and competitive aviation. This strategy should include:
- Preserving existing EU Open Skies agreements and negotiating new ones with the EUs key trading partners, in the same way the United States has concluded Open Skies agreements with many countries around the World.
- Addressing structural weaknesses that hinder the global competitiveness of EU aviation.
- Developing policies that enhance air connectivity, recognising its direct link to economic growth, investment, and trade.
As Europe navigates a challenging economic and regulatory environment, the aviation sector remains a cornerstone of financial resilience and global engagement. Restricting market access in favour of protectionist measures would only stifle growth, limit consumer choice, and undermine Europe’s strategic position in global air transport. Instead, a continued commitment to Open Skies agreements offers the best pathway to ensuring a dynamic, competitive, and sustainable future for European aviation.
