About: Airlines

Air France, British Airways to end flights to Tehran

Air France and British Airways announced Thursday (23 August) that they will halt flights to Tehran next month, citing low profitability as the US reimposes sanctions on Iran.

Why European passengers pay more for their flights than they should

The EU has failed to make airports competitive and fair for travellers. It needs reform, writes Thomas Reynaert.

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.

Saudi and allies cut Qatar ties in diplomatic crisis

Saudi Arabia and several of its allies yesterday (5 June) cut relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremism, in the biggest diplomatic crisis to have hit the region in years. Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the...

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 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.

Global deal on aviation emissions puts EU scheme under pressure

The 191 members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) sealed a deal on Thursday (6 October) aimed at ensuring carbon neutral growth for the booming sector after 2020, calling into question the future of the EU's existing scheme to reduce airlines emissions.

Commission wants aviation deals with growing markets by 2019

European Commission will start negotiating comprehensive aviation agreements with United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and countries from the Southeast Asia region, after member states gave the green light on Tuesday (6 June).

EU to finally start talks with Gulf countries on aviation agreements

With several months delay, EU member states are expected to give the European Commission the green light next Tuesday (7 June) to start negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar on comprehensive aviation agreements that will also cover alleged subsidies given to their airlines.

Qataris fly to Brussels to unblock aviation deal with EU

The Qatari Minister of Transport, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, will fly to Brussels on Tuesday (10 May) to reinvigorate talks on an aviation agreement with the European Union, which have been stalled for almost half a year.

Qatar Airways CEO voices doubt about proposed EU air traffic accords

The head of Qatar Airways on Wednesday cast doubt on proposed European Union air traffic agreements that might limit Gulf carriers from flying to European destinations because of what some see as unfair subsidies.

Emirates urges caution on EU-level aviation agreement with Gulf countries

Emirates airlines fears that its flying rights could be frozen if the European Commission is allowed to use aviation negotiations with Persian Gulf countries as a way to challenge state subsidies to Gulf carriers.

Commission working on law tackling unfair subsidies to non-EU airlines

The European Commission is working on a legislative proposal to tackle unfair competition from non-EU airlines which could include the ability to suspend air traffic rights.

Russia and Ukraine impose mutual flight bans

Russia on Monday (28 September) said it would close its airspace to Ukrainian airlines from October 25 in reprisal for a ban that Ukraine has slapped on two Russian firms.

Church leaders propose lifting of visa requirement for Syrians, Iraqis

Five organisations representing the Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Churches and Christian service, have sent a letter to EU justice and home affairs ministers, asking, among other things, that the EU lifts its visa requirement for Syrian and Iraqi nationals living in war zones.

Civil aviation falling short of climate commitments

Energy efficiency in aviation is improving too slowly, and the sector is set to miss its climate objectives, a recent study by the International Council on Clean Transport has found. Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

Cyberattack grounds Polish airline carrier

A cyberattack against Polish flagship carrier LOT grounded more than 1,400 passengers at Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport in what an airline spokesman described as the "first attack of its kind".

Airline bosses call for fewer strikes, lower taxes

Airline bosses have called on the European Commission to legislate to reduce the number of ground air traffic control strikes, and on the European Union as a whole to lift “all unreasonable taxes” on aviation.

Airbus seeks European legal status

Airbus is pressing ahead with previously announced plans to adopt "European Company" status, the aerospace group said on Wednesday (15 April).

Gulf airlines hit back at European competition complaints

Persian Gulf-based airlines have warned against protectionism after France and Germany called on the European Union to look into allegations of social dumping and unfair subsidies from Gulf carriers.