The setting up of the Single Aviation Market in the late 1990s has profoundly transformed the air transport industry and has greatly contributed to the strong growth in air transport in Europe over the past twenty years.

In numerous reports, and also particularly in its resolution of 14 February 1995 entitled ‘The way forward for civil aviation in Europe’, Parliament has emphasised the need for a common policy on air transport providing for greater and fairer competition among airlines. Parliament’s support for the establishment and proper functioning of the Single Aviation Market has therefore been constant. In so doing, however, Parliament has continuously stressed that the liberalisation of air transport must be implemented cautiously and gradually and must balance the interests of both consumersand the industry.

Air Transport - 8th parliamentary term

The obectives of the air transport's market rules are to set up a single air transport market in Europe, ensure its proper functioning, and extend it to certain third countries as far as possible.

More than twenty years after the entry into force of the ‘third package’ (in 1992), the functioning of the Single Aviation Market is, of course, still perfectible, as is illustrated by such factors as: the flaws in the slot allocation system; the fact that the vast majority (80%) of routes departing from EU airports are still served by only one (60%) or two carriers (20%); the financial difficulties that several airlines and secondary airports are facing; or the complicated oversight of air carriers now operating in several Member States. Nevertheless, the primary objective has been fully reached: from 1995 to 2014, while the number of passenger-kilometres within the EU-28 increased by around 23%, for air transport it jumped by about 74%. Over the same period, aviation’s share of total passenger transport increased from 6.5% to 9.2%, which is by far the strongest growth of all modes of transport in the EU. Source: <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/131/air-transport-market-rules">Air transport: market rules</a>.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/air-transport_5203_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Air transport

The European Parliament has always been a strong advocate of passenger rights irrespective of the mode of transport used. Its main aim is now to ensure that the texts adopted in recent years are properly applied.

Common rules have been drawn up in an effort to ensure that passengers receive at least a minimum level of assistance in the event of serious delays to or cancellation of their journey, irrespective of the mode of transport used, and, in particular, to protect more vulnerable travellers. The rules also provide for compensation schemes. A wide range of derogations may be granted for rail and road transport services, however, and court actions challenging the application of the rules are still common.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/passenger-rights-8th-parliamentary-term_9702_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Passenger rights

The single European sky initiative aims to increase the efficiency of air traffic management (ATM) and air navigation services by reducing the fragmentation of European airspace. By its nature, this ongoing initiative is pan-European and open to neighbouring countries.

Parliament has always endeavoured to remove obstacles to the implementation of the single European sky by adopting a pragmatic approach. In this connection, it has insisted strongly and successfully on the need for close cooperation between the civil and military sectors, in the context of flexible use of airspace, even when the Member States were still reluctant to address the issue.

Single European Sky

EP Plenary session - Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative)

Air passenger right - Lost, damaged or delayed luggage ?

Plenary session- Common rules in the field of civil aviation and European Union Aviation Safety Agency

TRAN Committee meeting. Vote on Safeguarding competition in air transport

Illustration Plane and Airport

Plenary session Week 40 2017 in Strasbourg - Thousands of cancellations of flights by Ryanair and the enforcement of the air passenger rights Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 - Council and Commission statements

Cargo aircraft

Medical transport. Emergency

Charleroi-Bruxelles Sud Airport

Zaventem Airport

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - How will increasing fuel prices impact transport?

MEPs vote on the following topics: The arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong; The situation of indigenous and environmental defenders in Brazil, including the killing of Dom Philips and Bruno Pereira; The situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province; Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative) - Søren GADE (Renew, DK); Financial Activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021 - David CORMAND; Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2020; Protection of the European Union’s financial interests - combating fraud - annual report 2020; Better regulation: Joining forces to make better laws; US Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights in the United States and the need to safeguard abortion rights and Women’s health in the EU.

Voting session, including US Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights in the United States and the need to safeguard abortion rights and Women’s health in the EU

To help the EU reach its climate neutral goal by 2050, aviation should gradually switch to sustainable fuel, such as synthetic fuel, used cooking oil or even hydrogen. MEPs debate and vote on their negotiating position on the new ReFuelEU aviation rules. Closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and by Søren GADE (Renew, DK), Rapporteur.

Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative): closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and by Søren GADE (Renew, DK), Rapporteur

&lt;p>To help the EU reach its climate neutral goal by 2050, aviation should gradually switch to sustainable fuel, such as synthetic fuel, used cooking oil or even hydrogen. MEPs debate and vote on their negotiating position on the new ReFuelEU aviation rules.&lt;/p>

Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative): MEPs debate

&lt;p>To help the EU reach its climate neutral goal by 2050, aviation should gradually switch to sustainable fuel, such as synthetic fuel, used cooking oil or even hydrogen. MEPs debate and vote on their negotiating position on the new ReFuelEU aviation rules. Opening statement by Søren GADE (Renew,DK), Rapporteur, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&amp;D, ES), Jutta PAULUS (Greens/EFA, DE), and by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.&lt;/p>

Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative): opening statement by Søren GADE (Renew, DK), Rapporteur, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Jutta PAULUS (Greens/EFA, DE), and by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

To support the transport sector, Parliament is set to extend some exemptions for air slot distribution and certificate expiry dates, including for driving licences. This infoclip illustrates the general atmophere of Brussels airport (Belgium): people on registration, flight shedule panel, planes on tarmac and on take off.

Infoclip: Allocation and use of airport slots

This Infoclip shows travellers waiting to take their flight at the Brussels national Airport. Before boarding, the plane is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by the cleaning staff.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Prevention measures - Airplane disinfection

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Brussels (13-16 May 2020), announcement of results of the first voting session: final vote New MFF, own resources and Recovery plan, vote on the amendments to the reports,macro-financial assistance to enlargement and neighbourhood partners in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis Temporary measures concerning the operation of air services, temporary measures concerning the validity of certificates and licences(omnibus), port infrastructure charges, 4th railway package; extension of the transposition periods

Announcement of results of the first voting session

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and George CIAMBA, Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU, participate in the Lex signing ceremony for serveral legislative acts (Directives on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, SatCab regulation, Amendment of Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Cybersecurity regulation, Regulation on food labelling, Regulation on car emissions, directive on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment, Non-performing loans regulation, European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS-TCN system), Competition in air transport regulation and the regulation of the European citizens' initiative.

Lex signing ceremony in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and George CIAMBA, Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU

Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Juliane BOGNER-STRAUSS, Austrian Presidency of the EU, sign various legislative acts in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing ceremony in presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Juliane BOGNER-STRAUSS, Austrian Presidency of the EU

During the plenary session (11-14 June 2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (12/06) and vote on common rules in the field of civil aviation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Statements by Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, RO), Rapporteur, Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR). Fabio CASTALDO (EFDD, IT) and illustrative shots of a drone flying over the EP in Strasbourg.

Common rules in the field of civil aviation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency: extracts from the debate (12/06), extracts from the vote and illustrative material

During the meeting of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) in the EP in Brussels, MEPs vote to step up EU measures to protect EU air carriers against unfair competition by non-EU countries. The regulation would give the EU Commission more effective tools for investigating alleged unfair practices, such as subsidies to third country carriers or discriminatory access conditions for EU ones, and propose countermeasures, including financial duties. The results are: 28 in favour, 9 against and 2 abstention. Statements by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE).

Safeguarding competition in air transport: extracts from the vote and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), rapporteur

During the EP plenary session (2-5 October 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with the Council and Commission how to enforce passenger rights in the event of massive flight cancellations, like Ryanair’s. Statements by Matti MAASIKAS, Estonian Deputy Minister for EU Affairs and Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport.

Thousands of cancellations of flights by Ryanair (and the enforcement of the air passenger rights regulation): extracts from the debate - illustrative material

Meeting of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) on Common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, in the EP in Brussels. Vote and statement by Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, RO), Rapporteur

Transport and Tourism on Common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency: extracts from the vote and statement by Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, RO), Rapporteur

EP Committee on Transport and Tourism has invited the Executive Director of EASA and European Commission representative, at EP in Brussels, for an exchange of views with MEPs, about the follow up to the Germanwings crash. Statements by Philippe CORNELIS, EC Representative, Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, RO), Ismail ERTUG (S&D, DE), Roberts ZĪLE (ECR, LV), Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (ALDE, ES) and Patrick KY, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

Follow-up to the Germanwings crash: extracts from the exchange of views at the EP Committee on Transport and Tourism with the Executive Director of EASA and European Commission representative

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