ELFAA: Mixed feelings on the European Parliament’s vote on the Revision of the Third Liberalisation Package
BRUSSELS, 9 July 2008 – The outcome of European Parliament’s vote today, on the socalled Revision of the Third Liberalisation Package, offers ELFAA some comfort on one hand and causes serious concern on the other.
John Hanlon, Secretary General of ELFAA said:
“Today’s vote in the European Parliament clarifies certain aspects of the original Third Package, such as the rules applicable to Public Service Obligations (PSOs) and the distribution of traffic between airports.
ELFAA welcomes the provisions on transparency of fares. Low Fares Airlines have the most transparent pricing policies and want to see flag carrier airlines abandon their abusive Saturday night rule, return pricing, and other restrictive policies, which force passengers to pay higher fares.
However, the revised regulation imposes unnecessary complications to operators by restricting requirements for the leasing of aircraft and inserting a reference to social provisions, which undermine the principles of the single market for air transport services.
We acknowledge the highly successful liberalisation of the European air transport market, which has enabled the development of Low Fares Airlines, and we would caution against any legislative measures that would hinder the benefits of the free market.
ELFAA now urges the Council to carefully consider the Parliament’s reference to social provisions, to ensure that the benefits of liberalisation are not undone.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
ELFAA airline members include: clickair, easyJet, flybe, Jet2.com, Myair.com, Norwegian, Ryanair, Sky Europe, Sterling, Sverige Flyg, transavia.com and Wizz Air. ELFAA airline members will carry over 150 million passengers in 2008, using a combined fleet of some 500 of the most technologically-advanced, environmentally-efficient aircraft. Low fares airlines currently account for over 35% of scheduled intra-European traffic.
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