The European aviation strategy, published back in December, is aimed at maintaining European competitiveness and stimulating further growth. The most significant elements of the strategy from an African interest perspective include:
- A move towards increased external aviation agreements with non-EU countries, the focus being on agreements with Central America, Asia and the Middle East but not Africa.
- Fair Competition measures. Including measures to tighten subsidy and pricing rules for aviation services offered by non-EU airlines operating in the EU airspace. And relaxing ownership and control rules for non-EU nationals wanting to invest in the EU aviation sector.
- Updating safety rules. Including reviewing all existing legislation on operating bans and rules on aviation accident investigation. This will be relevant to over 100 African airlines currently banned from the EU airspace due to safety concerns.
We speak to Kenyan Ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, Johnson Weru to find out his thoughts on the proposed strategy and the implications for the African aviation sector.
Please also find the guest Blog penned by Michael Bentele, Head of Europe at South African Airways, here: [ Ссылка ]
