ACI Europe renews calls for competitive relief measures for the aviation industry

ACI EUROPE released (12-Nov-2009) a new report on the impact of the crisis on the airport sector, entitled 'Renewed Call for Competitive Relief Measures', renewing calls to the EU and national governments for competitive relief measures benefiting all aviation industry stakeholders. According to ACI, European airports are experiencing their worst ever trading conditions with 82% of European airports reporting falls in traffic so far this year. Regional traffic is expected to be reduced by 105 million passengers by the end of 2009. ACI believes the pace of air traffic recovery in the winter will remain slow and gradual - mainly driven by LCCs - and noted a sustained recovery is unlikely before mid-2010, with in 1H2009 growth expected to be marginal. [more]

ACI EUROPE: "Just like other sectors of aviation, airports are being hard hit and face both the prospect of slow air traffic recovery and structural market changes. We are not asking for hundreds of billions of euros in financial aid. We are simply asking for a true industrial policy for aviation - a policy which focuses on the competitiveness of the European aviation system and the unique role it plays in fostering economic growth by connecting people, places and businesses," Olivier Jankovec, Director General. Source: ACI EUROPE, 12-Nov-2009.