The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is challenging legislators and politicians to cooperate more with carriers when formulating regulations rather than “continue persecuting” operators and risk reducing global competitiveness. ERA called for officials to apply their own procedures for better regulation as literal and metaphorical clouds overshadowed its eighth annual spring conference last month, held in Edinburgh, Scotland.
As the meteorological situation unfolded overhead (see article on page 1), the European lobby group, which represents 65 intra-regional airlines, published an open letter to the European Commission (EC), European Union (EU) Council, and European Parliament (EP) seeking a partnership toward common goals. “Air transport is operating in the most adverse economic conditions it has ever faced,” said ERA president Antonis Simigdalas, chief executive of Greek carrier Olympic Air. “Its viability is threatened by multiple complex external factors, even without poorly constructed and often unnecessary regulation.”
