New airline alliance takes off, aims at airport costs

Europe's five largest airline groups launched a new alliance on 20 January 2016, bringing together budget airlines (Easyjet and Ryanair), Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and the International Airline Group.

The alliance aimed to combat rising airport charges amid a fierce battle with Gulf rivals.

The association said it had identified four areas in which it would like to see urgent action, including the European Union’s recently launched Aviation Strategy, which it supports but would like to see greater emphasis for example on reducing supply chain costs. Other focus areas were airport charges; airspace management and disruption caused by industrial action; and unreasonable taxes.

• Primary Source

Irish Times, 21.01.16: Airline chiefs to press for cuts in air traffic control and airport charges http://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/airline-chiefs-to-press-for-cuts-in-air-traffic-control-and-airport-charges-1.2504447

The Wall Street Journal, 20.01.16: New European Airline Lobby Group Targets Airport Charges http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-european-airline-lobby-group-targets-airport-charges-1453307403

Deutsche Welle, 20.01.16: European airlines form alliance amid fierce competition http://dw.com/p/1HhPs

Air Transport World, 21.01.16: A4E airlines call on European Commission to address airport charge http://atwonline.com/associations/a4e-airlines-call-european-commission-address-airport-charges

EurActiv, 09.03.16: EU makes slow progress on aviation deals with Gulf countries http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/eu-makes-slow-progress-on-aviation-deals-with-gulf-countries/

ESO: Commission presents a new Aviation Strategy for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1209076

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