The European Regions Airline Association held its annual media briefing on Friday 4 March 2016 at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London. The event was hosted by Simon McNamara, ERA’s Director General, along with Boet Kreiken, ERA’s President with guest speaker Jonathan Sullivan, Managing Director of Seabury Aviation Consulting.
Valuable insight
Sullivan gave valuable insight into the state of and latest developments in the European aviation industry, with a focus on regional aviation and its importance to Europe, the makeup of ERA member airlines in comparison to the “Big 5” European carriers with their focus on business routes, as well as a review of the effects of current low fuel prices and the threat from low-cost carriers.
McNamara then gave a presentation on ERA’s response to the EC’s Aviation Strategy published in December 2015. He highlighted the “good” and “bad” aspects of the Strategy, with a focus on encouraging investment, improving safety, competition, taxation, airport capacity, passenger rights (including a discussion of the impact of EU261 on the sector), regional connectivity (recognising the contribution of Public Service Obligation (PSO) schemes) and how to move forward on the Single European Sky. McNamara stated that the strategy needed more concrete deliverables and actions, and confirmed that ERA is undertaking a comprehensive lobbying and advocacy campaign to promote the “good” and address the “bad” of the Strategy on behalf of ERA’s members.
A mix of consumer and B2B journalists attended the briefing which provoked lively discussions on the current and future opportunities and challenges facing the European regional aviation market.
McNamara concluded his presentation by encouraging the gathered media to support ERA’s campaign to highlight the specific needs of the European regional airline industry and ensure that it continues to drive connectivity and social and economic growth in Europe.