Europe’s Regions Threatened by Loss of Hub Connections
ERA spring conference highlighted threats to European regional service.
During last week’s ERA spring conference Henrik Hololei, cabinet chief for the European Commissioner for Transport, admitted to a level of "overregulation" by the EC. (Photo: Mark Wright)
During last week’s ERA spring conference Henrik Hololei, cabinet chief for the European Commissioner for Transport, admitted to a level of "overregulation" by the EC. (Photo: Mark Wright)

Delegates attending the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) spring conference in Porto, Portugal, last week heard about the risks associated with policies that focus on core areas with little or no regard to protecting the provision of air services to the regions where 85 percent of Europe’s population resides. ERA officials worry that slots will go to the “highest bidder,” which will mean airlines outside Europe, and in particular those from the Middle East, will squeeze out regional aircraft.