Commission strategy not credible

The European Parliament has today (16 Feb) given its support to the Commission's aviation strategy. The Greens/EFA group voted against, citing the continued lack of climate realism and the failure to address unfair intermodal competition.

Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur Jakop Dalunde commented:

"We were unable to back an aviation strategy which prioritises economic growth without paying any attention to the wider costs. Today’s decision gives the Commission the go ahead to focus on boosting the aviation economy while continuing to disregard the impact on the environment, or the continued lack of regulation of the sector.

"The aviation sector already benefits from unfair competition against other, more sustainable modes of transport. Rather than advocating continued tax advantage, Member States should be encouraged to introduce financial measures to encourage the shift to cleaner modes of transport. We also have concerns regarding the increasingly precarious, low wage employment offered in parts of the sector.

"The EU urgently needs a credible vision for aviation that is in line its Paris climate agreement commitments."