Written by Ariane Debyser (4th edition, updated on 9.4.2019),

business aviation background with planes on world map on blurred airport terminal
© alex_aldo / Fotolia

The issue of fair competition between EU and third-country airlines and the importance of guaranteeing a level playing field has been recognised for some years by the various EU institutions as key for the future of European aviation. The 2015 Commission communication on the aviation strategy underlined the importance and legitimacy of EU action to deal with possible unfair commercial practices in international aviation, and announced the revision of existing rules in this field.

On 8 June 2017, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a regulation on safeguarding competition in air transport. The objective of the proposal is to provide effective legislation in order ‘to maintain conditions conducive to a high level of Union connectivity and to ensure fair competition with third countries’ air carriers’.

Parliament and Council reached agreement on the text in November 2018. The text was formally adopted by Parliament on 14 March 2019 and by Council on 29 March. After its final signature, the new legislative act will be published in the Official Journal.

Interactive PDF

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on safeguarding competition in air transport, repealing Regulation (EC) No 868/2004
Committee responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN) COM(2017) 289 of 8.6.2017

procedure ref.: 2017/0116(COD)

Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)
Rapporteur: Markus Pieper (EPP, Germany)
Shadow rapporteurs: Gabriele Preuss (S&D, Germany)
Jacqueline Foster (ECR, UK)
Pavel Telička (ALDE, Czech Republic)
João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL, Portugal)
Jakop Dalunde (Greens/EFA, Sweden)
Daniela Aiuto (EFDD, Italy)
Marie-Christine Arnautu (ENF, France)
Next steps expected: Signature of the adopted act