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Europe under pressure
The aviation industry campaigns for a strong EU
Thomas Kropp, Head of Group International Relations and Government Affairs, Lufthansa Group:
“While the worst fears of nationalistic flare-ups did not come true in the recent Austrian, French and Dutch elections, the clear intensification of anti-EU populists in large parts of Europe and the world is alarming. European unification has also been jeopardized by political ruptures like Brexit. The Lufthansa Group, which operates 3,000 flights within Europe every day, and carries Europe in its heart with companies such as Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti, believes it is time to remind people of the peace and wealth-promoting effects of a unified Europe. As such, we are taking action with several leading companies as part of the Business Initiative for Europe. And are supporting the call from Europe’s aviation associations to keep strengthening the EU – because, after the radical Brexit, we need Europe more than ever in the remaining 27 EU member states."
Europe’s aviation industry: “It’s time to stand up for the EU“
The EU project is facing unprecedented criticism and existential threats, which is why it is important to remind employers, employees and consumers of the achievements of the European Union and Common Market. Particularly in aviation. The EU established the Single Aviation Market in the 1990s. This saw regulatory market restrictions removed, airlines privatized, and EU-wide rules agreed on. In doing so, the EU stimulated the significant growth in air links and wealth – resulting in decreasing ticket and air freight prices.
In den 1990er Jahren etablierte die EU den einheitlichen Binnenmarkt für den Luftverkehr. Regulatorische Marktbeschränkungen fielen, die Fluggesellschaften wurden privatisiert und EU-weit geltende Regeln vereinbart. Die EU hat damit das deutliche Wachstum an Luftverkehrsverbindungen und Wohlstand angekurbelt – und sinkende Ticket- und Luftfrachtpreise waren eine Folge.
Nowadays, European aviation accounts for 4.1 percent of the GDP, and supports 8.97 million jobs. Given the major importance of the Single Aviation Market for the EU’s social cohesion and economic development, representatives from the entire aviation industry are calling for people to stand up for the EU.
As businesses, and together with our employees, we cannot afford to lose the freedom, legal certainty, connectivity and prosperity enabled by the Single Aviation Market. These essential benefits are intrinsically linked to the wider political endeavours and dynamics of the EU, which is why we are calling on the EU Member States to preserve, reform and strengthen the EU.
