In light of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, Europeans are no longer able to travel, the vast majority of aircraft in Europe are grounded, the sale of air tickets has come to a nearly complete stop and airports across the continent have come to a standstill.
While welcoming the initiatives of the European Commission in targeted areas such as state aid, recognising that entire markets are non-functioning and urgent aid is needed – the organisations representing all stakeholders of the air travel value chain and air transport ecosystem in Europe call for better co-ordinated and proactive actions to support the aviation industry and aid in its future recovery.
The European institutions must take all the necessary measures to ensure the short-term financial viability of the travel industry enterprises with the objective of maintaining a functioning travel industry, protecting employees and consumers alike, and help them to efficiently restore air connectivity and support the re-growth of European economies.
Europe’s citizens, communities and visitors will see its vibrance restored more rapidly if the air transport sector can quickly recover, once the COVID-19 health crisis has passed. No small part of this depends on governments providing firm supportive measures today.
Aviation represents more than 12 million jobs and some €800 billion in European economic activity. That is 3.3% of all employment and 4.1% of all GDP in European countries. This joint press statement is issued by Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airline Catering Association (ACA), Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE), Airport Services Association (ASA), European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA), European Regions Airline Association (ERA), European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) and EU Travel Tech (EUTT).
