Austrian politician Jörg Leichtfried cut the ceremonial ribbon for the official opening of EBACE yesterday, and industry leaders speculated, with good reason, that the event could mark the start of a gradual economic recovery after two years of severe difficulties.
Leichtfried, who sits on the European Parliament’s influential Committee for Transport and Tourism, said he is impressed with what he’s seen. “I congratulate the organizers of this really impressive event. Why am I here? I want to tell you that it is essential that you engage with the European Parliament. Although the Commissions suggest laws, the Parliament and Council [of the EU] decide them. Ninety-five percent of suggestions from the EC are changed or dismissed.” He also said that “the Parliament and in particular the transport committee doesn’t look just at big airlines. We have to look at everybody, so if you have some expertise to bring, we are very interested to discuss key issues [such as] SESAR [Single European Sky ATM Research].”
