Today, ETF sent a letter to the European Commissioner for Transport, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Aviation workers in Europe are raising their voice regarding why summer flight delays and cancellations happen, and what is usually left out of the blame game we hear every summer.
In this letter, we explained that through the current ATM Performance Scheme the European Commission is establishing cost-efficiency targets that effectively pressure air navigation service providers to cut costs on recruitment of staff.
We also explained how unattainable turnaround times and other airlines’ aggressive competition behaviours are equally or even more responsible for the rise in summer delays and cancellations as the shortage of ATM capacity.
Lastly, we reaffirmed our commitment to contributing to the realistic, long-term, responsible reforms our sector needs, whether it is in the drafting of a new ATM Performance Scheme for Reference Period 5 (RP5), the revision of the Air Services Regulation or the assessment of EU airport legislation. We urge the Commission and all decision-makers to listen to the workers’ perspective on our industry’s struggles.
FOLLOW ALONG
Our campaign about summer flight delays and cancellations in Europe is showing the perspective of aviation workers (in control towers, airports and planes) on this pressing issue. It will be running throughout the summer. For more details, check our campaign paper: The Untold Truths about Summer Flight Delays and Cancellation