Economic matters
ECAC activities in the economic field aim at promoting an economically efficient, sustainable and competitive European air transport sector.
Through the Economic Working Group established in 2016, ECAC supports the understanding on economic issues of common interest to the aviation community within ECAC. This includes transversal matters, such as economic aspects relating to societal and environmental changes (for example, workforce and environmental sustainability).
ECAC experts in the economic field work together to prepare for ICAO events in this field to enable ECAC Member States to present coordinated and effective contributions and influence global outcomes. This coordination is undertaken in cooperation with the European Commission, in a European coordination group for economic matters. This group actively prepares for the meetings of the ICAO Air Transport Regulation Panel (ATRP) and its working group as well as for the Economic Commission of the ICAO Assembly and the ICAO Assembly itself.
ECAC/EU Dialogues with the air transport industry
ECAC and the European Commission work in close cooperation on all aspects of European air transport. In 1995, they agreed that it would be worthwhile to periodically bring together leaders of the air transport industry – representing scheduled, non-scheduled and regional airlines as well as airport management – with the Directors General of ECAC’s Member States.
The objective was to provide a forum that would facilitate open and thought-provoking discussions between the regulators and senior aviation industry representatives on a wide range of air transport issues, and to assess future implications and challenges.
Since 1995, twelve ECAC/EU Dialogues have taken place across Europe. Typically organised every three years, they have covered a wide range of topics, including airport capacity, economic issues, aviation and the environment, air passenger rights, improving the passenger experience and whether this should be achieved through competition or regulation, and European air transport competitiveness in a global environment.
The Dialogues attract approximately 150 delegates who are principally Directors General of Civil Aviation and their senior colleagues, and senior representatives of European airlines, airport operators, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, academics and European industry organisations. They continue to offer a welcome forum for the air transport industry and thanks to the seniority of the speakers contributing to each event, provide a stimulating and informative debate.
The most recent edition was held in Valencia on 24 and 25 October 2023 on the theme "Flying sustainably - from buzz to reality".
Read the press release from the 2023 ECAC/EU Dialogue here.
