The heads of airlines from across Europe met in Brussels on 1 July to take part in the exclusive event held by ERA, the ERA Airline Presidents’ Summit. Gathering the heads of ERA’s airline members and ERA Board representatives in one location, the summit promoted a positive and proactive dialogue centred on the concerns of European operators and the regions and communities that they serve. Aimed at enhancing relationships and fostering continued dialogue between key industry stakeholders and the heads of European region’s leading airlines, the summit allowed airlines to meet in one location with ERA Board members, senior policy makers and influential regulatory representatives.
Attendees had the opportunity to liaise with senior policy makers and influential regulatory representatives that govern and regulate our industry and businesses, including: Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation, DG MOVE, European Commission; Eamonn Brennan, Director General, Eurocontrol; and Elisabeth Kotthaus, Head of Unit, Social Aspects, Passenger Rights and Equal Opportunities, DG MOVE, European Commission. With the timing of the summit on the heels of the newly-elected European Parliament, the summit afforded a particularly interesting opportunity to debate the future policy and strategy for the industry.
Montserrat Barriga, ERA Director General, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome so many of Europe’s key industry players to this exclusive event. The ERA Airline Presidents’ Summit provides a truly excellent opportunity for our airline CEOs and Board members to engage with one another, as well as Europe’s senior regulators and decision makers on aviation matters. Not only does the summit help to build relationships within Europe’s aviation community, but build on our common understanding of the economic and social importance of European air transport.”
Andrew Kelly, ERA President, added: “We, as a group of airlines, are heard through ERA and our association forms its lobbying positions based on members’ feedback. We must operate safely, offer connectivity at reasonable cost, provide sustainable employment and become greener and still make a profit, because without a profit we cannot survive. This summit therefore is hugely important in supporting ERA’s work on our behalf.”