Aviation Single Market Extended

The recent proposal to enlarge the European Common Aviation Area – the European Single Market for aviation – from 25 to 35 members, with the inclusion of a number of states and provinces in Southeast Europe, as well as the formal incorporation of existing participants Norway and Iceland, was applauded by the travel trade.

So far, they say, the single market has been considered a success story for aviation.  For consumers, it has meant new products, new choices, and lower fares from both new-entrant airlines and the established carriers.

For the airlines themselves, according to the Association of European Airlines, it has provided the impetus and the incentive to thoroughly modernize the way they do business, to embrace new technologies and to rid themselves of inefficiencies and restrictive practices.

The association emphasized, however, that in extending the opportunities of market liberalization into new areas of Europe, we must have absolute confidence that the common set of rules that deliver the highest standards of safety and security are fully complied with, from the outset. 

The association encourages EU institutions to develop further cooperation programs with the countries in the region, not only in legislative areas such as competition, state aid, security, safety or airport liberalization, but also to develop new and enhanced infrastructure.