How COVID-19 dismantled Europe's single aviation market
One of the greatest achievements of the European Union is the single aviation market, phased in over a period of years and fully implemented in the 1990s.
It does away with the complex bilateral system that had dominated global aviation since the end of World War Two, removing limits on market access and on ownership/control for airlines within the single market. Together with the development of the internet, this has been the key factor in stimulating the growth of low cost aviation in Europe.
The results of this include enormous increases in connectivity and consumer choice, with consequent benefits to regional economies, employment and human interaction across nations. No other grouping of nations anywhere else in the world has implemented such a liberalised aviation market.
However, it was dismantled in a fortnight in Mar-2020, when COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed unilaterally by member states. Now, the relaxation of travel restrictions in the recovery phase and the approach to airline state aid are also largely piecemeal.
In a crisis, the single aviation market has proved unexpectedly brittle. Its rebuilding may now begin, but initial signs aren't encouraging.
Become a CAPA Member to access Analysis Reports
Our Analysis Reports are only available to CAPA Members. CAPA Membership provides exclusive access to in-depth insights on the latest developments in the aviation and travel industry, developed by our team of dedicated analysts located in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Each report offers a fresh perspective on the latest industry trends and is available online or via the CAPA mobile app, with customisable alerts to help you stay informed and identify new business opportunities.
CAPA Membership also provides access to our full suite of tools, including a tailored selection of more than 1,000 News Briefs every week and comprehensive data and analysis on thousands of companies around the world.