The air transport deals being sought with the UAE and Qatar are a priority because both have fast-growing aviation markets and the issue of subsidies in the Arabian Gulf states has become politically sensitive in Europe. Bulc, who is in charge of transport at the European Commission, aims to reach agreements by the end of 2019.
The commission has been gearing up for a bigger battle over state aid to Gulf-based airlines after national governments in Europe joined European carriers such as Air France-KLM Group and Lufthansa in raising the issue.
The move was welcomed by Association of European Airlines (AEA) airlines which said: “AEA believes that a highly ambitious EU external aviation policy strengthening the critical role of EU airlines in the connectivity of Europe with the world urgently needs to be defined and implemented in close cooperation between the commission, the member states and the industry.”
