Air Transport in the EU

Latest news on air transport from the European Union - from EUbusiness.com.

EU Council signs off on airline slot relief

EU ministers signed off an amendment to the Slot Regulation Monday, relieving airlines of airport slot-use requirements for the summer 2021 scheduling season, to protect airlines and help the environment.

New COVID-19 slot relief to help EU airlines

The EU announced Thursday it is preparing new temporary rules to help air carriers cope with the drastic decline in air traffic caused by the Coronavirus crisis and avoid operating empty flights.

New Single European Sky proposal to cut aviation emissions up to 10 pct

The EU Commission put forward a proposal Tuesday to upgrade the Single European Sky regulatory framework, with more modern management of European airspace and more sustainable and efficient flightpaths.

EU complies with WTO Airbus rulings, wants US tariffs lifted

The governments of France and Spain agreed with Airbus Friday to modify the terms of a 'repayable launch investment' granted by them for development of the A350 aircraft to reflect market conditions.

EU signs aviation agreement with Japan

The EU and Japan signed an agreement on civil aviation safety Monday, with the aim of boosting EU cooperation with Japan and reinforcing the competitiveness of the EU's aviation industry.

Ban for Armenian airlines in EU Air Safety List update

The EU Commission added airlines certified in Armenia to Tuesday's update of the list of airlines subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the EU because they do not meet international safety standards.

Airlines must be transparent on VAT and credit card fees: EU Court

Air carriers must indicate, as soon as their price offers are published on the Internet, VAT charges on domestic flights as well as any fees charged for paying by credit card, the EU's top Court ruled Thursday.

EU waives 'use it or lose it' slot rules for airlines

The EU gave the green light Monday to suspend until 24 October airport slot requirements which oblige airlines to use at least 80% of their take-off and landing slots, in order to keep them the following year.

Air passengers entitled to double re-routing compensation, rules EU top Court

Air passengers compensated for a flight cancellation, who agreed to travel on an alternative flight, are also entitled to be compensated for delay in the re-routed flight, the EU's top Court ruled on Thursday.

Coronavirus: Brussels moves to ease slot pressure on airlines

In response to the Coronavirus' impact on airlines, the EU Commission put forward targeted legislation Tuesday to temporarily alleviate airlines from their airport slot usage obligations under EU law.

Gabon airlines taken off EU air safety blacklist

Airlines certified in Gabon were released from the EU's Air Safety List Monday following the country's improvements to aviation safety, but Armenia's Civil Aviation Committee comes under heightened scrutiny.

Ryanair has to return EUR 8.5m illegal state aid: EU

France must recover EUR 8.5 million of illegal state aid made to Ryanair, the EU Commission said Friday, as regional marketing agreements at the airport of Montpellier are illegal under EU state aid rules.

EU funding to modernise air traffic management 'largely unnecessary': auditors

While the EU's regulation for the modernisation of air traffic management has added value, EU funding to support ATM projects was largely unnecessary, says the EU Court of Auditors in a report.

Brussels signs landmark aviation agreements with China

The EU strengthened aviation relations with China Monday, signing an agreement on civil aviation safety and a horizontal aviation agreement in a boost for EU trade in aircraft and related products.

EU paves way for safe operation of drones

The European Commission adopted common EU-wide rules for drones Tuesday, setting technical requirements and features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely.

EU and Qatar sign aviation agreement, first with a Gulf state

The EU Commission and the State of Qatar initialled Monday an aviation agreement - the first such agreement between the EU and a Gulf state, upgrading the rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU.

Brussels opens probe into airline ticket distribution services

The EU has opened a formal investigation into whether agreements between booking system providers Amadeus and Sabre and airlines and travel agents restrict competition in breach of EU antitrust rules.

EU probes Ryanair deal with Frankfurt-Hahn airport

The European Commission opened an in-depth investigation Friday to assess whether measures in favour of low-cost airline Ryanair at the German airport of Frankfurt-Hahn are in line with EU State aid rules.

Indonesian airlines removed from EU blacklist

The Commission cleared all Indonesian air carriers from the EU Air Safety list Thursday, as it introduced a warning system for air traffic controllers to prevent unsafe aircraft entering European airspace.

Euro-MPs back deal to keep skies safe from drones

Member of the European Parliament gave their backing Tuesday to EU-wide principles for drones and drone operators with a view to ensuring a common level of safety and to update aviation safety rules.

Airlines can be sued for compensation at destination: EU Court

An airline operating only the first leg of a connecting flight in one EU Member State can be sued in the courts of the state of final destination for compensation for delays, the EU's top court ruled on Wednesday.

Brussels updates EU Air Safety List

The Commission updated the EU Air Safety List of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards Thursday, adding Venezuela's Avior Airlines to the list of banned airlines.

EU Court rejects Ryanair claim to Irish law for crew

The European Court of Justice ruled against Ryanair Thursday in its battle to consider its cabin crew as Irish under Irish law in a case of air crew against Ryanair and its temporary staff agency Crewlink.

Brussels approves German rescue aid to Air Berlin

The EU Commission endorsed Monday under state aid rules Germany's plans to grant Air Berlin a temporary EUR 150m bridging loan to allow for the orderly wind-down of the insolvent airline.

Belgian airlines aid broke state aid rules, says EU

Public support granted by Belgium to three airlines flying from Brussels airport gave them an unfair advantage over other airlines, in breach of EU state aid rules, the EU Commission concluded Tuesday.