Calls in Europe to suspend the EU–Qatar bilateral air agreement due to corruption

Key European aviation industry groups -the European Cockpit Association (ECA), the European Network Airlines’ Association (ENAA), and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)- are urging the European Commission to immediately suspend and reassess the EU-Qatar Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, citing growing concerns over transparency, governance, and fair competition.

In a joint statement released February 5, 2026, European civil aviation social partners representing both employers and employees said recent developments have significantly undermined confidence in how the agreement was negotiated and implemented. They argue that unrestricted market access to the European Union must not result from negotiations that may have been compromised.

Corruption case ?

The call follows media reports that the European Commission dismissed a senior official who led negotiations on the agreement. According to reports, the decision came after an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and an internal disciplinary procedure. Allegations reportedly relate to compliance issues involving conflicts of interest, transparency obligations, acceptance of gifts, and disclosure of documents.

While details remain under review, industry stakeholders say the developments highlight the need for greater scrutiny and caution. They note that relations between EU institutions and Qatar have faced heightened examination in recent years, increasing pressure to ensure credibility and transparency in aviation agreements and broader policy frameworks.

Beyond governance concerns, the signatories reiterate long-standing criticism of the agreement’s economic balance. They argue that the deal has failed to deliver fair competition and risks placing European airlines at a disadvantage at a time when carriers are already dealing with rising regulatory pressures and intense global competition.

Industry representatives emphasize that international aviation agreements must support a level playing field while safeguarding the economic and social sustainability of the European aviation sector. Without clear guarantees in these areas, they say, the agreement risks further destabilizing the competitive landscape.

Pending further investigations and clarity around the allegations, the organizations believe it is both necessary and unavoidable to pause the provisional application of the agreement to restore trust and ensure compliance with EU principles.

Specifically, they are calling on the European Commission to suspend the agreement until all concerns about the negotiation process and governance issues have been fully addressed. EU Member States are also urged to reconsider political support for the deal in its current form, while the European Parliament and national legislatures are asked to refrain from ratification until a transparent and credible reassessment has taken place.

ACI Europe warns of connectivity loss in case of an air agreement suspension

The joint statement from the European Civil Aviation Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee faces however serious concerns for Europe’s airports, communities and economic circles. Airports warn that such a move would undermine air connectivity, consumer choice, and the EU’s credibility on the international scene.

The EU Qatar air agreement has effectively enabled European airports to diversify connectivity, bringing tangible benefits to communities, consumers, and businesses across Europe.

Importantly, there is no tangible evidence that the EU Qatar agreement has resulted in Qatar Airways gaining a dominant or unfair market position at the expense of European airlines, stresses ACI Europe.

The airports’ association points to the fact that Qatar Airways has not expanded significantly in the European market in recent years – as evidenced by the fact that the airline’s seat capacity deployed in Europe in the current IATA Winter season (October 2025 – March 2026) remains -10% below its pre-pandemic (2019) level.

This winter season, Qatar Airways serves 27 EU airports. However, only Finnair and Iberia fly to Doha in Qatar, showing the limited economic interest for the Gulf destination.

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