EU Matters

ACI EUROPE and SESAR JU sign cooperation agreement

ACI EUROPE and SESAR JU sign cooperation agreement

The SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) programme aims to provide the operational and technological solution to the challenges facing European air traffic growth. At the 21st ACI EUROPE Annual Congress, which took place in Lisbon in June, the SESAR Joint Undertaking, signed a cooperation agreement with ACI EUROPE to engage its technical expertise in the programme. Ross Falconer reports.

Further liberalisation essential to ensure Europe’s relevance

At this year’s ACI EUROPE Annual Congress in June, the trade body launched a campaign on aviation liberalisation, with the release of a special publication entitled ‘Expanding Europe’s Aviation Market – Prerequisite for Global Relevance’. It highlights the challenges and opportunities facing European aviation, as well as identifying key priorities for EU aviation policy. Ross Falconer & Robert O’Meara report.

Providing a high-level service to PRMs

Since the introduction of EU Regulation 1107/2006 in July 2008, a spotlight has been cast on the rights of passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs). In April this year, the European Commission released its latest report on the functioning and effectiveness of the Regulation. Ryan Ghee reports.

Hands off our holiday, Mr Taxman!

The UK Chancellor, Rt Hon George Osborne MP, announced in his 2011 Budget that Air Passenger Duty (APD) would be frozen in 2011/12, but would be increased by double inflation in 2012/13. A campaign, backed by the UK Airport Operators Association (AOA), was launched in early-July in an effort to persuade the Chancellor to abandon the planned rise. Ross Falconer & Donagh Cagney report.

ACI EUROPE launches new website

At this year’s ACI EUROPE Annual Assembly, Congress & Exhibition in Lisbon, Director General Olivier Jankovec unveiled the trade association’s brand new website, by showing a screenshot of the homepage, at the end of his ‘State of the Industry’ keynote presentation.