Bigger benefits from Open Skies

In the margins of the Transport Council on 24 June, the European Union and the United States signed a protocol amending their 2007 Air Transport Agreement. The Agreement, as now amended, will open up aviation markets further and pave the way for more investment. This will bring increased benefits for consumers, communities and airlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

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The new provisions added to the agreement are designed to launch a process leading towards additional investment opportunities in the airline industry. Both sides have undertaken to continue dismantling market access barriers. For instance, EU carriers will gain better access to US Government-procured air traffic, formerly restricted to airlines from the United States.

Another major goal is to strengthen regulatory cooperation. Further convergence of rules could significantly cut costs for both the industry and the authorities. Closer cooperation on environmental matters will help in tackling the adverse effects of aviation on climate change.

The EU and the US are the largest air traffic markets in the world, representing together around 60% of global aviation. The groundbreaking 2007 agreement, also known as the Open Skies Agreement, lifted barriers for airlines of either side wishing to operate transatlantic flights, thereby boosting competition and job creation and helping to lower air fares. The amended agreement will bring the EU closer to its ultimate goal of an Open Aviation Area between Europe and the United States.

More information:
Transport Council press release