European Regions Airline Association

ERA has concluded its highly successful 2024 General Assembly in Seville, bringing together leaders and key stakeholders from the regional aviation sector for insightful discussions, fruitful networking and engaging exhibitions. Read the press release: https://ow.ly/qlbZ50TJIHg

As we return home from our ERA General Assembly, we are reflecting on another hugely successful ERA event, and we wanted to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to making #era24 possible. 🫂To all of our members – thank you for attending and being the driving force behind everything we do. 🗨️To our speakers – thank you for sharing your valuable insights and expertise – it’s always a privilege to learn from our #ERAFamily. 🏷️Thank you to our sponsors for your continued valuable support of our events. 👩💼Our exhibition has been a fantastic platform to showcase our member companies’ work – thank you to our exhibitors for sharing such a variety of innovative products and services. This event has once again showcased the strength and spirit of regional aviation and our #ERAFamily We hope you all had a successful and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to continuing the conversation next year – starting at our Regional Airline Conference #rac25 in Copenhagen!

European Regions Airline Association (ERA) Board elections have been announced, welcoming two airline and three non-airline Board members. The announcement was made as part of the association’s AGM, held in Seville, Spain. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gz9sczz

ERA’s Director General, Montserrat Barriga took to the stage for the final #era24 conference session to reflect on the association’s key achievements over the past year. She highlighted the association’s popularity and growing membership – with 25 companies from across the industry having joined already this year. The association works hard for its members and Barriga noted the valuable publications, the variety of events and group meetings, as well as the extensive lobbying and policy work that has happened over the last year. The latest ERA Airline CEO survey results were shared, revealing the top concerns facing airlines today. Key challenges included sustainability, regulatory fatigue, skills shortages, competition and operational hurdles, with the rising costs associated with these issues highlighted as a major priority. A key highlight was a video from Magda Kopczyńska, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission who spoke to the association about the importance of the regional aviation sector and her high hopes for fostering strong working relations. Barriga noted that there were many pressing topics to be discussed with the new Commissioner, but top of the list were revision of the air services regulation, Gren Deal implementation, future of the Single European Sky and a revision of consumer rights. Barriga also reinforced the association’s values, emphasising our commitment to promote and advocate for the airline industry in providing safe and sustainable air connectivity to all regions of Europe. With this background, members were then able to have their say in the association’s AGM, setting an ambitious trajectory for the coming year #WeAreERA

You will read on social media about the results of a successful European Regions Airline Association General Assembly in Seville, see the pictures and comments on panels, exhibition, speeches, working sessions, networking, social events, awards etc. I won’t repeat the messages. THANK YOU. Just these two words from me to: - the ERA Board- for their support and strategic guidance - the ERA team- for their tireless work and enthusiasm in putting members first - the ERA members- for choosing to be part of the #EraFamily and for their gratitude and lovely words throughout the event #WeAreERA

During a glittering ceremony last night, three #ERAFamily member airlines: Binter, Loganair Limited and SKY express were presented with awards celebrating their achievements in the past year. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gtQ3tNy

Our industry has been making strides in decarbonising, but as targets in 2030 and 2050 are fast approaching there is now an urgency to hit key milestones. In yesterday afternoon’s second #era24 panel, our speakers charted progress so far as well as highlighting some of the obstacles that need to be overcome. Session moderator Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director KLM Cityhopper welcomed panellists representing airlines, airports, manufacturers and ATM to give a broad view of the industry’s progress. The panel started by discussing the industry’s efforts to achieve net zero. Marylin Bastin, Acting Director European Green Sky EUROCONTROL highlighted efforts being made by ATM and operations. Whilst the Single European Sky is not yet a reality, this does not mean it will not be possible to undertake some projects such as monitoring non-CO2 effects. Focusing on fleet renewal and new technology, Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO ZeroAvia emphasised that this represented a radical change but was a long-term solution. However, an obstacle to this new technology is that it is highly dependent on airport infrastructure. This led to Meiltje De Groot, CEO Groningen Airport Eelde discussing the initiatives, including a solar park, happening at her airport to put such infrastructure in place. The two airline representatives, Jasmin Bajicć, President and CEO Croatia Airlines and Koopmans shared some of their projects and work particularly on SAF usage, but they highlighted challenges of scarcity and limited feedstock availability. With rising costs due to decarbonisation, both airlines raised the issue of how these could be shared by passengers. In an audience poll, delegates were asked if they believed that the industry can reach net zero in 2050. Interestingly, the results showed a fairly equal split in the audience. Koopmans then asked if the regional aviation industry specifically could reach the goal – this time two thirds of the audience agreed the target could be achieved. Bastin agreed with this sentiment, saying that she associated sustainability with regional airlines given their unique position to lead on decarbonisation initiatives and to be a testing ground for new technologies. Miftakhov felt regulation was one of the biggest challenges, with fragmentation among the member states. The panel agreed that investment and funding to de-risk projects such as by including them in the EU taxonomy would help to incentivise fleet renewal. The session ended on a positive note, with panellists agreeing that events such as #era24 were crucial to raise awareness and share knowledge – all the new pioneering start up businesses in attendance at the event are testament to the evolution that is occurring. It is clear that the regional segment will play an important role in finding the right strategy to decarbonise the aviation industry, and there is a very bright future ahead of us!

Yesterday's first conference session at #era24 started with a welcome to the event by ERA President Jesper Rungholm. Symbolically removing his pilot’s uniform, he made his thoughts on the current pilot retirement age and its impact very clear. “Last week I turned 65 and am no longer allowed to fly commercially … Age should not be the determining factor – it is the individual’s ability to perform safely and competently that matters.” As well as this issue, Rungholm highlighted many of the other challenges our airline members face on a daily basis, from cost uncertainties to geopolitical tensions, skills shortages, supply chain issues, regulation and technology. His introduction prefaced a wide-ranging discussion from our panellists, delving more deeply into these subjects. Moderator Andrew Kelly of ASL Airlines Ireland provided thought-provoking questions throughout the first session. Several common themes were quickly identified. Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO Atlantic Airways discussed the unique geographic location of the Faroe Islands and the importance of maintaining essential connectivity. She expressed pride in serving the region, emphasising that despite the challenges, there are also opportunities. She highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships to reduce costs and increase traffic where possible. Luke Farajallah, CEO Loganair Limited expressed concerns over ongoing supply chain challenges, noting the lack of visibility on when – or if – a solution might be found, leaving little room for optimism on this matter. However, he shared that these difficulties have fostered a sense of resilience within the company. As they prepare for worst-case scenarios, they are learning to manage problems internally. Despite these challenges, he remained optimistic about the future of regional aviation, commenting, “we serve our communities, and that will never change”. David Curmi, Executive Chairman KM Malta Airlines emphasised that, despite providing critical routes to the islands of Malta, rising costs and razor-thin margins were becoming increasingly difficult to manage. While acknowledging the essential need for decarbonisation, he stressed the importance of balancing this with financial sustainability. Gilles Feith, CEO Luxair highlighted the newly adopted ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates airlines to refuel a specific amount of fuel at designated airports – a measure referred to as 'anti-tankering'. Feith emphasised that this regulation was designed with larger, mainstream airlines in mind, and would result in higher costs for regionals. On the subject of recruitment and retention, Mikael Wångdahl, VP Airline Operations SAS Group highlighted the generational shift in career attitudes, observing that young people no longer enter jobs with the expectation of staying long-term. This sparked further discussions on employee retention and the evolving priorities of today's workforce, with a growing emphasis on work-life balance. 

Tonight’s ERA awards have been a real celebration of the accomplishments of our #ERAFamily and the fantastic work they do! Introducing the airline awards at tonight’s dinner, Alexis Vidal, SVP Commercial & CCO of airline awards sponsor ATR spoke of the importance of regional aviation and recognising the contribution that ERA’s members airlines make to keeping Europe connected. 🌍The first airline winner was BINTER CANARIAS who received the ERA Regional Connectivity Airline Award 2024 for providing local communities with vital connections. 💻For its work embracing digitalisation to streamline its operations and improve efficiency, SKY express received the ERA Innovation Airline Award 2024. 🌳Loganair Limited were then presented with the ERA Sustainable Airline Award 2024 for the airline’s active participation in decarbonisation projects 🏆Finally, our ERA Airline of the Year Award 2024 winner was announced as BINTER CANARIAS – the airline exemplifies what being a regional airline is all about, and is a true supporter of its local community. ⚖️As well as the airline awards, in recognition of his many years supporting ERA as Legal Counsel, Sean Gates was given the ERA Personal Excellence Award 2024 sponsored by Embraer and presented by their SVP Sales and Marketing and Head of Region for Europe and CIS. Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners – we are so proud of all of our #ERAFamily

This morning’s #era24 high-level meeting for CEOs of airlines and airports kicked off with some in-depth discussions for industry leaders, who enjoyed valuable face time with regulators. The meeting began with a look at how regulators can better support regional aviation and encourage competition while the industry transitions to more sustainable operations, at the same time as preserving connectivity. Barbara Brandtner, Director, DG COMP gave an overview of how the European Commission is looking at the aviation sector, with the aim of preserving a level playing field. With the revision of the 2014 Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines, one of the topics at the heart of the forthcoming review is decarbonisation and whether state aid tools are needed to promote decarbonisation of the sector and, if so, how this should be done. Consolidation was also covered, noting that DG COMP's approach on remedies has evolved and goes a step further to ensure that competition on specific routes is preserved. Europe’s passenger rights laws have long been on the agenda for airline leaders. Professor Anna Masutti provided members with a legal analysis of the application of Regulation 261/2004 versus other passenger rights regulations for different transport modes, highlighting some of the current flaws of the system. She demonstrated that there is a disparity in the treatment between air carriers versus other transport operators in equivalent situations. Airlines are obliged to pay compensation without being able to effectively raise cases of extraordinary circumstances and without compensation being linked to ticket price, which is the case for rail companies, and is deemed unfair in Italian and German law. The US and Europe share a number of common issues, and we welcomed Faye Malarkey Black of the Regional Airline Association and CEO of Republic Airways, Bryan Bedford to give their views. “We don’t share regulators but we share so many issues,” stated Bedford. He reflected on how 20 years ago, the US market was similar to the current European market, but that it has now changed a lot due to tremendous consolidation in the US. In order to survive, airlines have approached the problem differently; it’s no longer about how to divide the pie, but how to grow it and how everybody can have a healthy business and bring value to the customers. On specific issues, Bedford compared the US system of passenger rights and the impact it had on airlines, as well as the pilot shortage. US regional airlines such as Republic Airways share the issue European regionals have with investing in pilot training whilst experiencing high turnover as pilots move to mainline carriers. Hearing insights and sharing best practices from across the Atlantic is always so valuable, and the gathered CEOs clearly enjoyed getting this fresh perspective. Thank you to session moderator Patrick Edmond 🇺🇦 for initiating some really interesting discussions.