What do we want to achieve ?
A strategically important sector that makes a vital contribution to the EU's overall economy and employment, aviation supports close to 5 million jobs and contributes €300 billion, or 2.1% to European GDP.
Despite the current economic crisis, global air transport over the long term is expected to grow by around 5% annually until 2030. As traffic increases so do concerns about safety. The common EU aviation policy aims at making Europe the safest air space in the world.
In order to fully exploit the economic potential of the sector, the European Commission constantly works on several important aspects for our skies.
Aviation Strategy
In December 2015 the European Commission adopted an Aviation Strategy for Europe, a milestone initiative to boost Europe's economy, strengthen its industrial base and reinforce its global leadership position. A strong and outward-looking aviation sector will not only benefit businesses, but also European citizens by offering more connections to the rest of the world at lower prices.
Single Market
The aviation market was gradually liberalised through three successive packages of measures adopted at EU level which covered air carrier licensing, market access and fares. So, decades of restrictions that had limited air transport markets in Europe and prevented cross-border investment by European airlines have been removed.
External Aviation
The gradual development of a more coordinated EU external aviation policy over the past decade has been the logical consequence of the creation of the EU internal market and associated common rules. This has generated significant economic benefits. But the Commission has now come with fresh ideas to move forward.
Single European Sky
Something needs to be done about the heavy airspace congestion causing lengthy delays on many European flights, and the strain on airport capacity due to the projected increase in traffic. This is the aim of the ambitious initiative for a Single European Sky (SES), launched in 2004. A second package of measures, known as SES II, followed in 2009 and had a greater emphasis on environment and cost efficiency. We are now looking at whether further measures are necessary.
SESAR
The technology required for the future Single Sky is provided through the air traffic management research programme SESAR, which aims to modernise infrastructure and raise efficiency by optimising capacity - and so enable the SES to become a reality.
Brexit
News
Single European Sky: new framework for interoperability rules
The Commission has adopted a new set of rules to better manage interoperability between the systems and constituents used to provide air traffic management (ATM) and air navigation services (ANS).
Evaluation confirms European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) fit for purpose
A Commission evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (‘EASA’) has given a positive appraisal of EASA’s performance and added value.
Decarbonising aviation: European Commission to support development of sustainable aviation fuels around the world
The Commission announced support for the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels programme (ACT-SAF)?
European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels
The Commission welcomes the political agreement on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal between the European Parliament and the Council.
EU and India deepen ties at aviation summit
The EU-India Aviation Summit in New Delhi confirmed the shared objective of further deepening EU-India political, technical, and industrial cooperation on aviation.
EU – India Aviation Summit: Opening speech by Commissioner Adina Vălean
Opening speech by Commissioner Adina Vălean at the EU – India Aviation Summit.