Gonçalves raises aviation and ETS concerns with Airlines for Europe

Camille Barré, A4E's policy director, joined MEP Sérgio Gonçalves at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. They discussed the European Commission's proposal on digital multimodal mobility services and its implications for aviation and passengers.

A4E represents some of Europe's main airlines, including TAP. The discussion covered proposed rules for searching, comparing and booking journeys involving different operators or transport modes. The Commission presented the proposal in May as part of the new Passenger Package.

In an analysis of 100 routes within the European Union, the Commission found multimodal options were available in 76% of cases. According to the sources, digital booking services rarely presented or combined those options. Passengers also faced problems including unsuitable combinations and being unable to buy all required tickets in one place.

A4E said the proposal is mainly intended to improve the rail ticketing market. It argued that aviation prices are clear and transparent and that air and rail travel can already be combined in some countries. The association called for responsibilities to be clarified between airlines and intermediary platforms, particularly where platforms sell or combine tickets without the carrier's direct participation.

Gonçalves said aviation should not be penalised by excessive regulation. He said he would follow the European Parliament's legislative process, led by Maltese socialist MEP Daniel Attard. He also argued that all flights between an airport in an outermost region and any airport in the European Economic Area should be exempt from the European Emissions Trading System. Currently, the exemption applies only to flights between an airport in an outermost region and one in its member state.

A4E said the new framework should ensure that intermediary platforms assume the corresponding obligations towards passengers when they are responsible for selling tickets.

Gonçalves said an outermost region with no alternative transport options and dependent on tourism should not be penalised.

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