With the new European Commission having just taken office and the newly empowered European Parliament firmly established, European airport trade body ACI Europe launched its Policy Outlook for the years to come. The launch took place at a reception hosted by the Chairman of the European Parliamentary.

Committee on Transport & Tourism, Brian Simpson MEP. The event was attended by Members of the European Parliament, as well as officials from the European Commission, EU Member States, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) EUROCONTROL and ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference).

The Policy Outlook for Europe’s Airports “Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century” reflects the business transformation which European airports have undergone in recent years, primarily driven by increasing competition and changing attitudes from governments. Taking stock of the new economic fundamentals in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, the publication advocates a new way of looking at airports - treating them as businesses in their own right.

Looking ahead, the Policy Outlook calls upon the European institutions to proactively address the 4 major challenges that Europe’s airports are facing today, tomorrow and in the decades to come: Airport Capacity, the Environment, Global Connectivity and Aviation Security.

Ad Rutten, President of ACI Europe and COO of Schiphol Group said “The ability of the European Union to address these 4 key challenges will essentially define how European airports, and more generally European aviation, will look like in the next 20 years - and what benefits we can bring to society through enhanced and more efficient mobility. ”

He added “Now is the opportune moment. With the EU institutions currently considering the future direction of the European transport policy, we are making constructive proposals and stand ready to play our part.”

ACI Europe contends that with European air traffic still expected to double by 2030, Europe’s airports need to be empowered to finance and develop their facilities in a timely manner. Amongst other things, this means that the EU must be unambiguous about reconciling aviation growth with its ambitious environmental objectives.

Better connectivity is also crucial to the future of Europe and further aviation liberalisation is needed quickly with the US, the EU’s neighbouring countries and its main trading countries. Finally, as evidenced by the events of 25 December 2009, a total re-think of the philosophy, structure and financing of Europe’s aviation security system is now overdue.