The European Commission is preparing a new Aviation Strategy for Europe at a critical moment for the sector. For ETF, this initiative cannot become another exercise focused solely on market liberalisation and competitiveness at the expense of workers. Instead, it must mark a change of course. Years of deregulation, cost-driven competition, and insufficient social safeguards have weakened the sector’s resilience, undermined fair competition, and placed increasing pressure on aviation workers. The new strategy therefore represents an opportunity to correct this trajectory and build an aviation industry that is competitive, sustainable, and socially responsible.

Last week, aviation week was held at the ETF, where we gathered our members from JAC, GSC and ATM Committees in Brussels for their specific sector meetings, the Civil Aviation Section meeting, and the Civil Aviation Sectoral Social Dialogue.

One month after the ETF’s largest-ever conference dedicated to aviation workers, the Civil Aviation Section (CAS) members approved a statement presenting workers’ critical demands for the sector to move forward after the 2022 summer crisis while recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spreading fear may generate some complete obedience for some time. But it will not be forever. The voices of those you are trying to silence will be heard again.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the United Services Union (ver.di) are in favor of setting a minimum price for airline tickets at EU level