16/06/2006

 

President of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), Antonis Simigdalas, is calling for regulatory progress in key areas of common interest to Europe’s airlines and airports.

 

Speaking at the Airports Council International (ACI) EUROPE General Assembly in Athens, Simigdalas highlighted problems that Europe’s regional airlines need to see resolved, not least the lack of capacity at the most congested airports. “Extra capacity is desirable but we do not want to see the forced displacement of air services in favour of rail.”

 

Simigdalas also noted that monopoly behaviour is the key problem in terms of airport charges and said: “Action to economically regulate airports would be welcome but not through regulating the mechanism by which airport charges are collected. Major airports should finance investment in the same way as other infrastructure providers – through external finance.”

 

Turning his attention to winter operations, Simigdalas expressed concern about “inadequate” standards of aircraft anti/de-icing, suggesting that “states and the European Commission consider action – or, if needed, regulation – to improve the overall quality of the aircraft anti/de-icing process”.

 

Cooperation will be vital to resolve these problems. “These are important issues for Europe, for its airports and for airlines,” continued Simigdalas. “Airlines and airports are links on the same chain. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The question here is not if airports or airlines are stronger. The real question is how strong can we be together? And how much regulation is needed for that? We are ready to work with the European Commission, the airports and other interested parties to avoid unexpected surprises at the end of the regulatory process.”

 

ENDS