European airlines call on EU to tackle air traffic bottlenecks
European airline lobbying group A4E is calling on the EU to take immediate action to tackle ‘bottlenecks’ affecting European air space.
Gathering in Brussels this week, the chief operating officers of Europe’s top airlines told the EU to make urgent changes.
They say the current air traffic control system has reached its limit and caused unacceptable delays last summer.
"The reputation of Europe is at stake," said A4E managing director Thomas Reynaert.
"Reform of EU airspace must be a top priority for the next Commission and all involved national bodies. Passengers deserve an efficient European aviation industry and that can only be delivered with a seamless approach to EU airspace."
Eurocontrol data shows there were 9.32 million minutes of en-route delays in 2017 and by the end of this year the figure is expected to increase by 50%.
The airlines, association of air navigation service providers (CANSO), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and Eurocontrol, have signed up to the A4E ‘Efficient Airspace Declaration’.
A number of ‘quick win’ network measures are planned to improve air traffic management in 2019.
"It’s really essential that all parties work together over the coming months in order to minimise potential delays next summer," said Eamonn Brennan, director general at Eurocontrol.
A4E is calling for the creation of a future airspace which seamlessly integrates the different national airspaces under a single operational concept.
It wants EU member States to maintain sovereignty of their airspace while cooperating across borders in order to make flight operations seamless and more efficient.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers