Transport
Italy threatens to ban Ryanair over coronavirus rule-breaking
Italy's national civil aviation authority ENAC threatened on Wednesday to suspend Ryanair's permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules.
EU eyes sustainable fuel quotas to tackle aviation emissions
The European Union is considering quotas to force airlines to use more sustainable fuels as it seeks to clamp down on the climate impact of aviation, the European Commission said on Wednesday (5 August).
Europe air safety regulator gives no firm date for 737 MAX to fly again
Europe's air safety watchdog has no firm date for Boeing's grounded 737 MAX to resume flights, it said on Tuesday (4 August), adding that the US planemaker had some more work to do before a 17-month-old safety ban could be lifted in Europe.
Look-back: Best of the news made in 2020 so far
As the EU institutions - and the EURACTIV newsroom - wind down for the summer break, take a look at some of the biggest, most popular and unusual stories published so far in 2020, as well as the catalogue of our best videos this year.
Germany tops up holiday voucher fund with €840m
German holidaymakers received a summer consolation prize on Friday (31 July) when the European Commission approved a government scheme aimed at helping travel operators guarantee replacement vouchers for cancelled trips.
Dutch airline KLM says to shed up to 5,000 jobs due to virus
Dutch airline KLM said Friday (31 July) it would shed up to 5,000 jobs due to a "crisis of unprecedented magnitude" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain agrees investment plan with Airbus to save jobs
Spain said Thursday (30 July) it had agreed with Airbus to invest €185 million to boost its aerospace sector and minimise job cuts by the European plane-maker in the country.
EU invests €350m in first domestic battery gigafactory
The European Investment Bank issued a €350 million loan on Thursday (30 July) to a Swedish company that hopes to corner a significant share of the global battery market by building the greenest power packs available.
European air executives, airlines, urge Canada to safely restore travel
European airline and airport executives urged the Canadian government this week to allow a safe "restoration of travel" between Canada and Europe, adding industry pressure on Ottawa to remove coronavirus-related restrictions that have discouraged international air travel.
UK unveils cycling and walking stimulus plan
Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched a £2 billion package on Monday (27 July) aimed at incentivising walking and cycling as the UK lockdown eases. EURACTIV's partner edie.net reports.
E-trains gain upper hand over hydrogen locomotives
Rail operators could make big savings by choosing electric battery power over hydrogen fuel cells when replacing diesel engines, a new study has suggested, although the ever-changing price of energy means the jury is still out on the best power source.
Spain agrees on terms to open up railway market
Spain's competition watchdog approved criteria on Thursday (23 July) which will allow private companies to compete with state-owned rail operator Renfe's medium-distance and local services, while safeguarding its financial stability.Editor's picks
Airbus and EU see end to US subsidies spat with final concessions
Aerospace giant Airbus announced on Friday (24 July) that it has made changes to existing aircraft contracts in order to come into line with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling on subsidies. The firm and the EU both insist that it “removes any justification for US tariffs”.
Climate policy endures rough EU budget summit
EU leaders agreed to slash funding for Just Transition policies at a crucial budget summit on Tuesday (21 July) and also watered down a set of green conditions that could hamper the bloc’s long-term climate efforts.
Bike power, e-warplanes & solar sights
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UK’s next-gen warplane could tap battery power
BAE Systems, the defence company behind the British air force’s new fighter jet, has teased the prospect of electric-battery systems playing a substantial role in powering the RAF’s next-generation Tempest warplane, due to enter service in the 2030s.
Norway’s €2.1bn carbon-capture mega-project gets approval
The Norwegian government’s decision to fund the scale-up of carbon-capture-storage (CCS) technology with more than €2 billion got the green light from a state aid regulator on Friday (17 July). It is the largest tranche of funding ever approved by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) body.
Europe’s landmark solar satellite beams back first images
A joint European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA mission aimed at observing the Sun in unprecedented detail has started to beam back the first images of our nearest star this week. Scientists have already noticed features that have never been observed before.
BMW agrees €2bn battery contract with Swedish firm
German carmaker BMW signed a battery-supply contract worth €2 billion with Swedish manufacturer Northvolt this week, in the latest example of Europe’s big auto firms preparing to ramp up electric vehicle production.
We won’t get there without sustainable biofuels
It is common knowledge by now: transport is and stays a big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter in the EU and worldwide. It accounted for 27% of EU-28 total emissions in 2017, and the sector runs almost entirely on fossil fuel. David Chiaramonti and Giacomo Talluri explain how this can be curbed.OpinionPromoted content
Ammonia: The other hydrogen
The EU hydrogen strategy opens the a new era of the low carbon economy. Fertilizer producers are among the biggest producers and users of hydrogen in Europe and low carbon ammonia could be used as maritime shipping fuel and to store energy.
Greener aviation set for end-of-year lift
An EU initiative aimed at boosting the uptake of cleaner aviation fuels is set to launch at the end of 2020 and a new push by the European Commission to streamline tax policy might yet have a big impact on air travel’s carbon footprint.
Airbus and Boeing sold just one plane in June
The global aerospace duopoly of Airbus and Boeing managed to sell just one aircraft in June, as the virus outbreak’s economic impact on the aviation industry and the grounded MAX scandal continues to affect order books.