More flight routes and lower fares needed in Europe

Some of the biggest names in European aviation, including Ryanair, joined Deirdre Clune MEP for a major conference on the future of the sector, hosted by the Ireland South MEP in Brussels today (Wednesday).

Addressing the event, MEP Clune, a member of the Parliament's Transport Committee, highlighted the value of regional airports for tourism, investment and job creation, in particular for countries like Ireland who are largely depending on airports for connectivity.

Clune also urged the airline chiefs to work with European authorities to generate more routes, lower fares, more choice for passengers and more competition: “For countries like Ireland, we depend almost entirely on aviation to drive tourism, investment and trade. If we are not connected, then we will be left behind. I continue to press the importance of regional airports in the EU in particular as drivers of economic growth in more rural and regional parts of the EU."

Ryanair Chief, Michael O'Leary, addressed the conference on behalf of Airlines for Europe (A4E), a new association that has been founded by Europe’s five largest airline groups – Air France KLM, easyJet, International Airlines Group, Lufthansa Group and Ryanair.

Mr O' Leary criticised the scenario where 100,000 citizens had their flights cancelled this week due to a strike by French Air Traffic controllers. While he recognised their right to strike, O'Leary said they should not be allowed to close Europe down in the process. This is an area which needs immediate reform in his view.

O'Leary was also highly critical of airport charges which he described as "fleecing European consumers". He claimed that charges at Europe’s ten biggest airports have risen by 90pc while the average airfare has fallen by 20pc.

The five CEOs of Europe’s largest airlines (Alexandre de Juniac, Carolyn McCall, Willie Walsh, Carsten Spohr and Michael O’Leary) jointly welcomed the European Commission’s Aviation Strategy for a stronger and more competitive European aviation industry. They have also called for action on large scale airport monopolies, high airport charges, taxation and inefficiencies that characterise the aviation supply chain.