European airlines demand focus on growth and jobs

The European air transport industry has requested the European Parliament, Council and Commission to re-focus on the original objectives of the Lisbon Strategy, namely to provide more and better jobs in the European Union.

In a joint statement to today’s meeting of the Lisbon Strategy Coordinators in Paris, the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), the International Air Carriers Association (IACA) and the Association of European Airlines (AEA), request that all proposals and amendments to EU legislation should not be approved unless and until their impact on growth and employment has been evaluated.

“Too often the aims of the Lisbon Strategy are ignored when new legislation is formulated and the real impact on jobs and Europe’s international competitiveness are seldom properly assessed.  Evaluation against the Strategy’s objectives should continue throughout the whole legislative process, from the original draft proposal, through each stage of amendments to the final agreed legislation,” said Mike Ambrose, Director General, ERA.

“2009 will be a key year for defining a new cycle for growth and employment in Europe.  Good transport links, especially good air transport links, are fundamental to meeting the goals of the Lisbon Strategy by providing an essential infrastructure throughout Europe which encourages investment and thus creates employment,” say the associations.

Source: TravelDailyNews