Policy Areas
AIRE advocates for a broad range of sustainable aviation solutions, from accelerating the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to advocating for a regulatory framework that fosters innovation and environmental responsibility.
As a Member of the Expert Group on Climate Change Policy for Aviation of DG CLIMA, AIRE is deeply committed to the latest developments in sustainability.
AIRE supports air passenger rights legislation that contains fair and reasonable provisions for both airlines and consumers. AIRE considers that the revision of Regulation (EC) 261/2004 is crucial for ensuring legal certainty and balancing consumer and industry interests.
We find that the current Regulation 261/2004 is overly general, also vague on key points, leading to numerous court rulings across the EU with judges interpreting the Regulation in widely varying and often conflicting ways.
While the European Union leads globally in climate regulation, AIRE recognizes the urgent need to decarbonize aviation and reduce its environmental impact. However, imposing heavy burdens—such as fuel taxes (even on sustainable fuels), complicated monitoring requirements, or inadequate support for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production—could weaken the competitiveness of EU airlines.
To achieve meaningful environmental progress, a balanced approach is crucial to avoid placing European carriers at a strategic disadvantage internationally.
Since aviation is instrumental in promoting economic growth, mobility, trade and jobs for the EU, AIRE believes that is essential to ensure the connectivity of all European regions.
Airport infrastructure is crucial for facilitating efficient and safe air travel, boosting economic growth,and enhancing global connectivity. It supports the movement of passengers and goods, promotes tourism, and attracts business investments, while also creating jobs and driving regional developments
Reaching climate goals requires effective financial strategies that support sustainable transformation across all sectors, including aviation. While AIRE welcomes initiatives that channel investment toward greener technologies and operations, we stress the importance of designing financial and taxation measures that are fair, balanced, and supportive of industry innovation.
Green finance instruments can be powerful enablers—but when misapplied, certain financial policies may unintentionally hinder aviation’s ability to grow, compete, and contribute to Europe’s broader economic and environmental objectives.
A socially responsible aviation sector is key to long-term resilience and growth. AIRE believes that strong social commitment not only strengthens industry reputation, but also helps attract diverse talent, boost employee satisfaction, and respond to the evolving expectations of passengers, partners, and society as a whole.
AIRE actively engages in European aviation safety policy to ensure that regulatory developments reflect the operational realities of airlines. By fostering dialogue and cooperation with key institutions and partners, we help shape a safety framework that is both effective and future-oriented, keeping passengers, crews, and operations safe across the continent.
