Aviation
EU and Britain to present post-Brexit plan on WTO membership
The European Union and Britain plan to put forward a joint proposal for reform of the terms of their World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership in September or October, an EU source said on Monday (17 July), as London negotiates to leave the EU.
EU ignores calls for booze ban on flights
The European Commission does not intend to limit alcohol consumption during flights as it is a national competence, despite the fact that officials from popular tourist destinations requested its intervention.
Spain’s party islands ask EU to ban booze on flights
Authorities in the Balearic Islands, home to the party resorts of Ibiza and Magaluf, on Wednesday (12 July) asked Spain and the European Union to ban alcohol on flights and in airports as they battle "anti-social tourism".
International flights to stay free from EU carbon fees until 2021, MEPs vote
International flights to and from the EU will remain free from paying CO2 emissions permits but the exemption will cease in 2021 unless EU bodies meanwhile decide otherwise, the European Parliament's environment committee agreed on Tuesday (11 July).
Austria wants to end Eurofighter programme and lease fighter jets instead
Austria wants to end its Eurofighter jet programme early and replace it with a cheaper alternative fleet of aircraft leased from another government, its defence minister said on Friday (7 July), amid a legal battle over the jets with Airbus.
EU aims to regulate drone traffic from 2019
The EU's air traffic management body unveiled on Friday (16 June) a proposal for regulating the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) in low-level airspace from 2019, saying it should help create "a strong and dynamic EU drone services market".
Commission moves to simplify complaints, compensation against non-EU airlines
The European Commission adopted a package of regulations on Thursday (8 June) which will provide EU airlines with a simpler, more efficient way to file complaints concerning state subsidies and other unfair competition measures against third countries and their operators.
EU and Italy remain at odds over airport charges dispute
The European Commission remains unsatisfied with Italy’s responses to questions about the independence of the country’s civil aviation authority (ENAC) and charges levied at the country's largest airports. EURACTIV’s partner Milano Finanza reports.
US might ban laptops on all flights into and out of the country
The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights into and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said yesterday (28 May).
Europe braces for laptop ban on US-bound flights
US and EU officials meet in Washington this week for further talks on aviation security, as the European Union braces for an extension of a cabin ban on large electronic devices to US-bound flights from Europe.
EU, US hold ‘robust’ talks on possible airline laptop ban
Top US and EU officials traded intelligence Wednesday (17 May) on what they called "serious evolving threats" to airline security as Washington mulls banning carry-on computers on flights from Europe.
Commission gives free hand to capitals to subsidise small airports
The European Commission announced today (17 May) a review of state aid rules that will allow member states to pour millions of euros of support into struggling regional airports without prior approval from Brussels.
EU demands urgent talks with Washington over laptop ban
The European Union has demanded urgent talks with the United States over a possible extension to some European countries of a US ban on airline passengers taking laptops into cabins, saying any security threats faced are common.
US likely to expand airline laptop ban to Europe
The Trump Administration is likely to expand a ban on laptops on commercial aircraft to include some European countries, but is reviewing how to ensure lithium batteries stored in luggage holds do not explode in midair, officials briefed on the matter said yesterday (10 May).
Mastermind behind EU-funded ‘endless runway’ responds to critics
The mastermind behind an EU-funded idea to build circular runways has defended his brainchild after the concept came under fire from fascinated social media users.
Ryanair denies climate change because it doesn’t like the solutions
It’s no mystery why Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary dismisses evidence of climate change as ‘rubbish’, writes Andrew Murphy.
EU regulator says airline ‘laptop ban’ may compromise safety
Europe's aviation regulator voiced concern on Wednesday (5 April) over the risk of battery fires in the cargo holds of passenger planes after US and British authorities banned certain electronics from passenger cabins.
Europe struggles to tackle cyber attacks in aviation
Cyber threats to the aviation sector are rapidly becoming a major issue for airlines, aircraft manufacturers and authorities. But Europe is finding legacy problems and new challenges to address cyber risks for its air transportation systems.
Parliament’s free Interrail plan replaced by smaller €2.5 million travel fund for teenagers
MEPs are annoyed that a European Commission proposal to hand out €2.5 million to fund young students' travel around Europe will only receive a fraction of the budget they wanted.
EU hopes to relax rules on transatlantic airline deals
The European Commission wants to scrap restrictions placed on EU airlines leasing planes and crew from US carriers, to resolve a long-standing dispute between the two sides.
EU sees ‘strategic advantage’ of biofuels in aviation
In sectors like aviation where decarbonisation options are limited, there is a strategic advantage in encouraging the use of biofuels, a European Commission official has said.
Aviation biofuels: Won’t get fooled again
Biofuels are being touted as a solution to the problem of aviation emissions. But previous experience shows us we must take care to ensure they are not actually worse for the environment than the kerosene they replace, writes Carlos Calvo Ambel.
European airlines implore Commission to draft strong law against Gulf rivals
French and German flag carriers Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have urged the European Commission to counter what they say are unfair practices by Gulf airlines, in a bid to influence the drafting of a new EU law.
Biofuels in aviation: A sustainable alternative?
Current laws require EU countries to have “at least 10%” renewable energy used in transport by 2020 – including a 7% cap for biofuels. For 2030, the European Commission proposed reducing conventional biofuels in transport to 3.8% as part of a broader target to source at least 27% energy from renewables.