European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Commissioner Tzitzikostas delivers speech at the Aviation for Europe Association Brussels, 19 March 2026 Ladies and gentlemen, Dear CEOs, Dear partners, It is a real pleasure to be with you today at such an important moment for European aviation. Let me begin with something fundamental. Aviation is one of Europe's greatest collective achievements. It embodies our ...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Commissioner Tzitzikostas delivers speech at the Aviation for Europe Association Brussels, 19 March 2026 Ladies and gentlemen, Dear CEOs, Dear partners, It is a real pleasure to be with you today at such an important moment for European aviation. Let me begin with something fundamental. Aviation is one of Europe's greatest collective achievements. It embodies our openness, our capacity to innovate, and our deep connection to the world. Every single day, European aviation connects millions of people to their families, to opportunities, and to global markets. It supports around 15 million jobs and contributes more than one trillion euros to our economy. It powers tourism, sustains trade, and anchors Europe firmly in the global system. This is how our global economy has been built. This is how tourism has become such a powerful source of income worldwide. But beyond the numbers, aviation is something more. It is what allows Europe to remain outward looking in a world that is becoming more fragmented. It is what keeps our economies connected and our societies open. And yet, in recent years and even in recent days, we have seen just how vulnerable this system can be. We have lived through a pandemic that grounded fleets across the globe. We are facing geopolitical tensions that are reshaping routes, closing airspace, and increasing operational risks. We have experienced energy shocks that have driven up costs and volatility. We are also witnessing the emergence of new threats, from cyber risks to satellite interference, that directly challenge the safety and resilience of the system. At the same time, we are asking aviation to transform, to decarbonise, to digitalise, and to innovate at unprecedented speed. This is the reality in which we are preparing the new European Aviation Strategy. At its heart lies one overriding objective, to ensure that European aviation remains competitive in a rapidly changing world. Europe is home to global champions. Our airlines, our manufacturers, our airports, and our air navigation systems are among the best anywhere in the world. We are leaders in aircraft technology, in safety, and increasingly in sustainable aviation. But we must also be honest. This leadership is under pressure. Global competition is intensifying. Other regions are investing heavily, expanding infrastructure, supporting their carriers and industries, and positioning themselves as global hubs. At the same time, European airlines operate under a more demanding regulatory framework and face higher structural costs. This combination risks weakening their position on international routes and undermining the competitiveness of our hubs. We are also seeing growing supply chain vulnerabilities and increasing dependence on critical inputs and technologies, developments that directly affect our strategic autonomy. If we do not respond, the consequences are clear, traffic diversion, reduced connectivity, and a gradual erosion of Europe's global position. So let me be very clear. Our ambition is not simply to defend Europe's leadership in aviation. It is to reinforce it and to future proof it. A crucial part of this effort lies in how we engage with the world. This week, I was supposed to be in India to launch an aviation dialogue with this important partner. It was postponed due to the situation in the Gulf, but I intend to engage again very soon, with India and with all other interested partners. We need to strike the right balance in our external aviation relations, openness combined with fair conditions and a genuine level playing field. I have no doubt that, together, we have the strongest leverage to achieve this. This is not just a technical issue. It is a strategic one. If we want a true level playing field, we must act collectively. At the same time, competitiveness today cannot be separated from sustainability. We must see sustainability for what it is, an opportunity to strengthen Europe's industrial base, reduce dependencies, and build new value chains. Recent events make this clearer than ever. In line with the Clean Industrial Deal, we see decarbonisation not as a constraint, but as a driver of competitiveness and strategic autonomy. Sustainable Aviation Fuels are central to this vision. They are the most immediate pathway to reducing emissions in aviation. But they are also a powerful tool to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and to create a new European industrial ecosystem. The progress we are seeing is encouraging. Production is ramping up, supported by clear regulatory signals and growing investment. But we must not underestimate the challenge. Sustainable Aviation Fuels remain expensive, supply is still limited, and the business case remains difficult. That is why we are acting to scale up production, to de risk investment, and to create a predictable market environment. We also need to continue supporting airlines, notably through allowances that help cover part of the additional cost. Our objective is clear, to ensure that sustainability becomes a source of strength and not a source of disadvantage. This is the essence of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan I presented last November. The Commission is fully committed to ReFuelEU Aviation, with well defined targets, enforceable rules, and strong support measures that give airlines certainty. Together, these create the conditions to scale up sustainable fuels, reduce emissions, and build a thriving European market. But acting at home will not be enough. We must ensure that our climate policies are effective at global level. The EU Emissions Trading System is a key instrument. It drives decarbonisation and sends a strong price signal, but it also raises legitimate concerns about competitiveness. We are currently assessing the risk of carbon leakage in aviation, meaning the risk that traffic shifts to non European hubs rather than emissions being reduced. Our objective is clear, to reduce emissions globally and not simply relocate them. The upcoming review of the system will therefore be crucial. We will need to strike the right balance, maintaining strong climate ambition while safeguarding competitiveness, because sustainability and competitiveness must go hand in hand. Looking ahead, competitiveness will increasingly depend on innovation. Europe has a strong track record in aviation research and development, supporting some of the most advanced technologies in the world. But now we must go further. Innovation must not stop at the laboratory. It must reach the market. This means creating a seamless pathway from research to deployment, supporting demonstration, scaling up technologies, and enabling industry to bring new solutions forward. Our ambition is clear, to position Europe at the forefront of the next generation of aviation technologies. This includes zero emission aircraft, hydrogen and hybrid propulsion, ultra efficient engines, and advanced air traffic management systems. At the same time, digitalisation and artificial intelligence will optimise operations, reduce costs, improve safety, and transform the passenger experience. They will also be essential for managing increasingly complex airspace and integrating new types of aircraft. If Europe wants to remain competitive, we must lead in all these areas. At the same time, we must ensure that our regulatory framework supports a well functioning aviation system. Passengers expect reliability and fairness. Airlines need clarity and predictability. Airports require a framework that supports efficiency and capacity. We are therefore continuing work on key areas such as passenger rights, where we aim to strike the right balance between strong consumer protection and the financial viability of the sector. We are also reviewing the Air Services Regulation and assessing the airport framework to ensure it continues to deliver efficiency, fair competition, and the capacity needed for future growth. A competitive aviation sector depends on the entire ecosystem working effectively together. This Aviation Strategy will not be developed in isolation. We want to build it together with you. This is why we will soon launch a call for evidence, giving all stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their views, experience, and ideas. We want to hear from you about the challenges you face, the opportunities you see, and the actions that are needed. Your input will be essential in shaping a strategy that is both ambitious and grounded in reality. Let me conclude. Aviation is, at its core, about connectivity. Connecting regions within Europe, connecting Europe to the world, and connecting people, economies, and opportunities. In a world that is becoming more fragmented and uncertain, this connectivity is more important than ever. Our task is to ensure that European aviation remains strong enough to sustain it. That means being competitive, being sustainable, being innovative, and above all, acting together. With this new Aviation Strategy, we want to provide the framework to achieve exactly that. I am confident that, working together, we will ensure that Europe remains connected to the world and continues to lead in it. Thank you very much. SPEECH/26/661
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