Europe’s airports launch a forward-looking Manifesto for the next EU cycle
On 23 January, ACI EUROPE President Armando Brunini officially launched the airport industry’s contribution to the EU institutions on transport policy. Addressing a gathering of Europe’s political figures, regulators and industry representatives in the transport and aviation sectors at the annual ACI EUROPE New Year Reception in Brussels, he called for EU Transport policy in the next 5 years to ensure both sustainable and competitive air connectivity – for passengers, communities and the Planet.
As the European Union is about to embark on the new political cycle spanning the next 5 years, Europe’s airports provided a snapshot of their market realities and proposals for the way forward across three axes: taking stock of the present situation, reviewing key challenges for the sector and proposing 3 strategic priorities for EU aviation policy.
The new political cycle comes at a critical juncture for aviation and airports, with structural market changes driving a new aviation paradigm fueled by an uneven COVID-19 recovery, new economics and tensed geopolitics worldwide. The European aviation market has radically shifted, now being defined by predominantly leisure-driven demand, Low Cost expansion coupled with fast progressing airline consolidation and reduced hub connectivity. At the same time, the EU is advancing its ambitious climate agenda notably through the Fit for 55 package of legislations which stands to further reshape the air transport sector in Europe.
The structural changes in the aviation market combined with the sustainability and decarbonisation imperative have far-reaching implications for Europe’s airports – requiring a radical transformation of their business model. This new approach to value creation will rely on decoupling financial viability from traffic growth while still meeting investment needs. Prerequisites to achieve this are policies positioning airports as what they essentially are: independent, diversified, and efficient businesses in their own right. With a firm focus on implementation, the Manifesto puts forth policy solutions having the potential to accompany the industry as it transforms.
Links:
- ACI EUROPE Press Release: Airport industry launches its Manifesto for the new EU political cycle
- Airport Industry Manifesto for the Next EU Political Cycle (pdf download)
