“Rumors of our death are greatly exaggerated,” according to European Regions Airline Association (ERA) director-general Mike Ambrose. However, the industry is facing major obvious challenges, including “high fuel prices, worldwide economic crisis, loss of consumer confidence, falling traffic and severely reduced prospects for growth and profitability even in traditionally strong markets.”
Speaking just as the European Parliament (EP) environment committee decided to impose 100-percent auctioning of carbon emissions-trading scheme (ETS) permits for aviation by 2020, Ambrose said the vote imposed additional burdens on regional airlines already “crippled” by soaring costs and reduced consumer confidence. “This will add a further E6 million a year for a typical carrier. ERA and its members must sound a strong ‘wake-up’ call to political and civic leaders in Europe’s regions,” he urged.
