ACI EUROPE’s Post

Climate change has very much become politicised over the past months in the run up to the European elections and as we move closer to our next 5-year political cycle. That should not be. Climate change is about science first and foremost - and the Green Deal came in response to science (and international commitments under the Paris Agreement). It has positioned Europe as the leading continent on climate action and the preservation of future generations’ mere existence. So it has been a no brainer for ACI EUROPE to be part of this unprecedented coalition calling on EU leaders to preserve the Green Deal as THE way forward for Europe’s security, competitiveness and sustainable growth. In fact this is the only way. Developing and managing airports has always been about remaining as much as possible driven by and focused on the long-term. Deciding on public policies and regulating should follow the same logic - more than ever. Of course, there is a lot to do to improve the Green Deal and future-proof it - hence our call for it to be complemented by a real industrial policy. Hence also our call together with our #destination2050 partners for an EU Pact for Sustainable and Competitive Aviation. But there can be no way back from the direction set by the Green Deal. #GREENDEALFOREU | European Commission | European Parliament | Council of the European Union

[PRESS RELEASE] ACI EUROPE today reviewed and addressed the challenges faced by Moldovan aviation in supporting the country’s economic development and progress towards its future accession to the EU. ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec met with Mr. Andrei Spînu, Moldova's Minister of Infrastructure & Regional Development, for an insightful discussion. Despite nearby geopolitical challenges and the loss of Air Moldova, Chisinau International Airport has exceeded pre-pandemic traffic levels by 26.6%. But growth brings new pressures - highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and long-term planning to support such growth. Jankovec emphasised the importance of corporatisation or private involvement for Moldova’s aviation future, aligning with EU standards and fuelling sustainable connectivity. For more details, read our full press release: https://shorturl.at/hpUDQ

Just like every sector, Europe’s airports will be watching the results of today’s election of a new European Parliament very closely - as they will set the direction of the EU for the next 5 years. It has become customary to portray every election as coming at « a crucial time ». But this has never been so true this time, when Europe is facing so many challenges and we live in a « new age of chaos » as pointed by António Guterres, the UN Secretary General. The European Union needs to keep asserting itself politically and economically and it also needs to remain true to its social and climate goals. That will require squaring many circles. While it all looks pretty daunting, there is no question addressing all our challenges can only be done together, with and through the EU. Looking at aviation & airports, these challenges involve decarbonising while at the same time safeguarding the unique socio-economic benefits of air connectivity. As ACI EUROPE we look forward working closely with the new European Parliament #noairportleftbehind #nocommunityleftbehind

Europeans for Fair Competition, extends its warmest congratulations to the newly elected Members of the European Parliament! As this new term opens a fresh chapter for the EU, shaping the future requires collaboration between policymakers, businesses, and citizens. 🤝 E4FC is excited to collaborate with the EU institutions on shaping the future competitiveness of European aviation.✈️ We are committed to working together to design, implement, and deliver effective policies that: 🔹 Safeguard the strategic autonomy and independence of European airlines. 🔹Ensure a level playing field for European carriers against non-EU competitors. 🔹Support a robust industrial policy that tackles climate challenges. 📢At E4FC, we believe in: 🔹Streamlining regulations to strengthen the Single Market. 🔹Enforcing existing laws to prevent unfair competition. ️ 🔹Creating a clear and unambiguous regulatory framework that promotes fairness in the aviation sector. ⚖️ Together, we can build a stronger and more competitive European aviation industry! #E4FC #EUaviation #FairCompetition #ClimateAction. Want to learn more about E4FC’s policy recommendations? Check out our manifesto 👉https://bit.ly/4anMT3k

Airbaltic CEO Martin Gauss, the Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens, MEP Christophe Grudler and Breakthrough Energy’s Julia Reinaud are exchanging now on European aviation’s destination at a time of political and regulatory change. We need the next European Parliament and European Commission to ensure Europe has a strong and sustainable airline sector that can compete on the global stage. #AviationSummit2024 

I am delighted and honored to participate as one of the speakers at the Africa Economic Forum (AEF), where we will engage in discussions on “Shaping the Future of Africa’s Aviation Industry.” The event is scheduled for: Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Time: 2:00 pm (Lagos Time) During our dialogue, we will explore the following key themes: 1. Exploring the Growth Potential of Africa’s Aviation Industry: - Delving into strategic initiatives aimed at propelling the sector forward. - Discussing the importance of aligning with international air transport projections to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness. 2. Assessing Africa’s Capacity in Aviation: - Engaging in conversations about capacity-building initiatives within the aviation sector. - Sharing insights and best practices to enhance Africa’s aviation capabilities and infrastructure. To join the event, please register using the following link: https://lnkd.in/gpjnjFK5 I look forward to contributing to these vital discussions and collaborating with fellow industry experts to chart a course for the advancement of Africa’s aviation industry.

#DAY3 Our CEO Selahattin Bilgen participated as a speaker in the Wrap-up Session of the Panel Discussion at ACI EUROPE Annual Congress and General Assembly. Highlights from his speech; 👉 The main challenges for our industry are not competition among ourselves, but rather the general situation, influenced by sustainability and operational complexities. We are very positive with respect to the future when it comes to demand and the state of the industry overall, despite these issues. These challenges are common across the industry, making collaboration, cooperation, and information sharing crucial as we grow larger and larger. 👉 The aviation industry must adapt to these changes on a broader scale. We face real challenges from sustainability measures and evolving customer expectations, and we must act in coordination and take timely actions to address these challenges. #ACI2024IST #IstanbulAirport

This European summer season is coming to an end, and it has once more served as a stark reminder that flight delays continue to represent a critical challenge to efficient and sustainable air transport. While multiple factors contribute to this frequent source of disruption, Air Traffic Management (#ATM) inefficiencies play a significant role, with increased demand during peak seasons causing even further pressure on an already strained European ATM system. Outdated infrastructure, limited capacity, and coordination challenges often lead to bottlenecks, causing delays and frustration for passengers and airlines alike, in addition to increasing CO2 emissions. For instance, an analysis by EUclaim on airlines serving UK airports during the summer period showed that Ryanair had 789 delayed flights, while EasyJet followed closely with 722 delays. With the failure of the Single European Sky initiative, mitigation remains crucial, including investing in modernizing ATM systems, enhancing coordination between states, and adopting innovative technologies. This will be one of the main topics featured at the IATA Wings of Change Europe. Register now to join the discussion on how to solve the ATM puzzle on November 20-21 in Rome! 

Today, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec met with Enrico Letta, the author of the recent landmark report on the Future of the EU Single Market and the way forward. Together with ACI EUROPE President Armando Brunini, and our Italian member Assaeroporti - Associazione Italiana Gestori Aeroporti ´s President Carlo Borgomeo, they fully shared ACI EUROPE's views on the centrality of our Single Market and how further deepening can ensure the EU's resilience and global positioning.    At the meeting, the relevance of transport and the essential role of air connectivity for citizens, businesses and communities was brought to the table, as well as the need to sustainably address capacity issues and growing demand through an effective industrial policy for decarbonisation.    ACI EUROPE looks forward to continued engagement with the EU Institutions and further contributing to the EU's future strategic directions. 

[PRESS RELEASE] Reacting to the publication yesterday of the Draghi report on ‘The future of European Competitiveness’, ACI EUROPE endorsed its analysis of the transport sector and welcomed its proposals to tackle the challenges faced by aviation in particular. Key points: - Expanding infrastructure to meet rising demand, rejecting limits on aviation growth. - Emphasising decarbonisation, with calls for increased investment and integrated planning. - Improving infrastructure, optimising airport capacity, and securing private investment are essential. Implementing these recommendations is vital to securing Europe's prosperity and global leadership in transport. For more details, read our full press release: https://shorturl.at/MFj3N.