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On 23 April, the European Commission launched a call for evidence on a new EU Aviation Strategy, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework to support the sector in a rapidly evolving and challenging global environment.

The initiative comes at a time of mounting pressure on the sector. According to the Commission, the global aviation landscape has fundamentally changed since the 2015 Strategy, with EU operators facing rising energy costs, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying competition from rapidly growing non-EU hubs and carriers. At the same time, the sector remains a key pillar of the European economy, supporting around 2 million jobs and contributing approximately €174 billion to EU GDP.

The forthcoming strategy, expected in the third quarter of 2026, will aim to reinforce competitiveness, resilience, and decarbonisation, while safeguarding Europe’s strategic autonomy. It will focus on accelerating the green and digital transitions, boosting investment in innovation and clean technologies, strengthening the EU’s aviation value chain, and ensuring a level playing field globally.

In addition, the Commission intends to address structural challenges affecting the sector, including capacity constraints, fragmentation in air traffic management, and vulnerabilities linked to security threats and global crises. Enhancing crisis preparedness, improving connectivity, and supporting the deployment of emerging technologies such as AI and unmanned aviation systems are also central elements of the initiative.

For CLECAT, it will be essential that the strategy fully recognises the critical role of air cargo within the broader aviation ecosystem. Efficient and reliable air freight services are a key enabler of European competitiveness, supporting high-value industries, time-sensitive supply chains, and global trade flows. In a context of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruption, maintaining strong and competitive air cargo connectivity - both within Europe and globally - will be crucial. This includes ensuring that regulatory and sustainability measures are designed in a way that preserves operational flexibility and avoids unintended distortions between EU and non-EU hubs.

Stakeholders are invited to provide their input as part of the consultation process, which is open until 21 May 2026.

Source: European Commission