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Airlines for America

A4A

Airlines for America is the principal trade organization for the United States airline industry.

Lobbying Activity

US Airlines Urge EU to Drop ETS Overlap with CORSIA

8 Jul 2025
Topic — EU review of emissions trading system and market stability reserve for aviation.
Message — Airlines request that CORSIA be the exclusive market-based measure for international flights, including intra-EEA routes. They want more SAF allowances and flexibility to claim them across EU airports rather than only at departure airports.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and avoid double-charging on flights subject to both schemes.45
Impact — Environmental groups lose stronger EU oversight of international aviation emissions and faster SAF deployment timelines.6
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Meeting with Christiane Kirketerp De Viron (Acting Director Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

25 Jun 2025 · Application of the NIS2 Directive to US air carriers.

US airlines fight baggage standardization and ticket prepayment bans

9 Jun 2025
Topic — The consultation evaluates updates to EU rules governing air service operations and pricing.
Message — A4A opposes standardizing cabin baggage sizes and mandating that optional fees be included in base fares. They also request the right to overfly striking countries and reject new insolvency protection rules.123
Why — This would allow airlines to maintain commercial flexibility and avoid additional compliance costs.4
Impact — Passengers lose the security of standardized baggage rules and mandatory insolvency protections.5
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Meeting with Chiara Galiffa (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič) and Penta and Aercap Holdings NV

20 May 2025 · Trade tensions’ impact on the aviation sector

Meeting with Pierpaolo Settembri (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas)

20 May 2025 · Exchange of views with Airlines for America

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Apr 2025 · Aviation policy

Meeting with Filip Cornelis (Director Mobility and Transport) and

9 Apr 2025 · Overview of aviation files

Meeting with Pierpaolo Settembri (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas)

29 Jan 2025 · Exchange of views with Airlines for America

Meeting with Filip Cornelis (Director Mobility and Transport)

29 Jan 2025 · Exchange on international aviation

Meeting with Gzim Ocakoglu (Acting Head of Unit Mobility and Transport)

28 Jan 2025 · Exchange on RefuelEU Aviation and Schiphol Airport's noise related restrictions

Meeting with Polona Gregorin (Head of Unit Climate Action)

27 Jan 2025 · Climate action of US airlines

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Nov 2024 · Aviation Policy

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Sept 2024 · Aviation Policy

Airlines for America urges EU to curb excessive airport charges

6 Jun 2024
Topic — A review of EU rules governing airport charges, ground handling services, and flight slots.
Message — The organization requests amendments to eliminate excessive airport charges and increase competition in ground handling. They also advocate for aligning slot regulations with global standards to avoid operational disruptions.12
Why — The group seeks to reduce operating expenses and protect its members' investments at airports.345
Impact — Large EU airports would face reduced profit margins and more competition for their services.6
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Airlines for America warns over-regulation threatens multimodal travel

12 Mar 2024
Topic — The Commission is establishing a legal framework for passenger rights during multimodal journeys.
Message — The group calls for explicit ticket categories to clarify carrier liabilities. They argue airlines shouldn't be responsible for disruptions on travel modes sold by intermediaries. Finally, they request a binding list of compensation exemptions.123
Why — Limited liability and reduced reporting requirements would significantly lower industry compliance costs.4
Impact — Passengers face fewer travel options if burdensome rules deter airlines from offering connections.5
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Meeting with Rachel Smit (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

30 Jan 2024 · EU aviation policy – EU-US aviation relations – future challenges

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

9 Jan 2024 · EU-US aviation relationship

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

11 Oct 2023 · - Presentation of the organisation and market outlook - Noise Reduction at EU Airports - SAF developments US and EU

Response to Evaluation of eu-LISA

15 Sept 2023

Please see the attached submission of Airlines for America.
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Response to Revision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism

29 Aug 2023

Airlines for America (A4A), on behalf of its members (Alaska Airlines, Inc.; American Airlines Group, Inc.; Atlas Air, Inc.; Delta Air Lines, Inc., Federal Express Corporation; Hawaiian Airlines; JetBlue Airways Corp.; Southwest Airlines Co.; United Holdings, Inc.; and United Parcel Service Co. Air Canada is an associate member.) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the initiative EU visa policy revision of the visa suspension mechanism. The attached document provides a united aviation industry feedback for this initiative.
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Meeting with Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

24 Jul 2023 · Aviation

Airlines for America Urges Inclusion in EU Green Investment Rules

3 May 2023
Topic — This consultation defines sustainable economic activities for investment purposes within the aviation sector.
Message — A4A requests the Commission keep aviation in the final taxonomy to finance the transition. They argue this is vital for deploying new efficient aircraft and sustainable fuels.12
Why — Access to the taxonomy would help carriers secure the funding needed for expensive green technologies.34
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Response to Advance Information on Air Passengers

3 Apr 2023

Please see the attached letter for complete feedback. Thank you.
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Meeting with István Ujhelyi (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Dec 2022 · Transportation/Fit for 55

Meeting with Filip Alexandru Negreanu Arboreanu (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Rachel Smit (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

6 Dec 2022 · Sustainable aviation

Airlines for America urges EU slot rules align with global standards

21 Nov 2022
Topic — Review of EU regulation governing airport landing and takeoff slot allocation.
Message — The organization requests the EU maintain alignment with global slot allocation standards and avoid unilateral departures. They argue deviation from worldwide guidelines could cause operational disruptions.123
Why — This would prevent their airlines from losing slots at EU airports while maintaining them elsewhere.4
Impact — Passengers and competitors lose if airports avoid accountability for operational failures.56
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Meeting with Rachel Smit (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

31 Aug 2022 · Fit for 55

Meeting with Rachel Smit (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

8 Jun 2022 · Aviation

US Airlines Urge Extended Slot Relief and Flexible Rules

24 May 2022
Topic — EU slot allocation rules during COVID-19 recovery and Ukraine war disruptions.
Message — The organization requests the Commission be authorized to grant slot use waivers by delegated act for future seasons. They seek expanded justified non-use provisions covering COVID restrictions and airport capacity issues. Airlines want to temporarily retime slots during waiver periods.123
Why — This would let them match service with volatile demand without losing slots.45
Impact — Competitors lose as incumbent airlines retain slots despite reduced operations and capacity constraints.6
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Meeting with Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

8 Feb 2022 · EU ETS Aviation, European Aviation Policy

Airlines for America opposes EU's SAF mandate and ETS expansion

8 Nov 2021
Topic — EU proposals on aviation emissions including SAF mandates, renewable energy rules, and ETS revisions.
Message — A4A requests the EU replace the proposed SAF blending mandate with positive policy measures and incentives focused on accelerating SAF production and reducing costs. They seek exemption of non-EU carriers from international flight requirements and alignment of EU ETS with the CORSIA agreement rather than unilateral expansion.123
Why — This would preserve airlines' ability to manage fuel costs and avoid monopolistic SAF pricing during pandemic recovery.45
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Response to Union-wide performance targets for the air traffic management network for the third reference period

15 Mar 2021

Airlines for America (“A4A”), on behalf of its members, appreciates the opportunity to comment on the draft implementing decision on performance targets for the ATM network 2020-24 – Better Regulation Portal. A4A members operate extensive services in the EU and have a strong vested interest in the outcome of this consultation. We support the comments that IATA submitted but wish to supplement them with brief comments of our own. COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions have had a devastating impact on transatlantic traffic. U.S.-EU passenger traffic levels have declined more than 90 percent since the pandemic began. IATA forecasts that travel will not return to normal levels until at least 2024. However, IATA doubts that business travel will pick up significantly for several years, removing an important driver of yields, revenues, and profitability. We have two principal concerns that we respectfully request the Commission to consider. First, the data Member States have furnished demonstrate that there is no correlation between the charges that European ANSPs propose and the services they provide to airlines. ANSPs plan to increase their costs through 2024 even though traffic will be far lower than 2019 levels. By 2024, ANSPs are projected to increase costs by 11% compared to 2019 even though forecasted traffic will remain significantly below 2019 levels. The disconnect between charges and services violates the principle enshrined in Article 12 of the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement (“ATA”) that user charges must be cost-related. Under this principle, users should only pay for the services and facilities that they need and use. The ANSPs propose to violate this principle by charging airlines for services they will neither need nor use. As the guardian of EU laws, the Commission should ensure compliance with provisions of the ATA to which the EU and its Member States are parties. Second, we believe that ANSPs have failed to take the necessary action to control costs as required by EU Regulation 2020/1627. In their December 2020 data submissions, more than 50 percent of ANSPs report higher costs in 2020 than in 2019 despite the dramatic decline in traffic. Smaller states have achieved substantial cost savings, including Slovakia with a 30 percent cost reduction in 2020 and 2021. A4A agrees with IATA that all ANSPs should achieve at least a 30 percent reduction in costs to comply with Regulation 2020/1627. To achieve this objective, the Commission should impose stricter targets on Member States. In this regard, we support IATA’s call for a more ambitious approach to establishing the KPIs and support for targets on vertical flight efficiency that would reduce flight time, fuel burn and GHG emissions. We take this opportunity to raise three additional issues. First, RP2 closed with a healthy profit for most ANSPs. Member States should use these funds to defray ANSP losses rather than forcing airlines to pay for them through excessive charges. Second, airlines were charged EUR 371 million in 2019 for investments that have not been realized. Consistent with EU Regulation 2019/371, this amount should be reimbursed in full. Third, Member States should consult more extensively with airlines on airspace and TMA modernization projects. To date, consultation has been absent. Constructive industry/government engagement would help identify the key initiatives that will facilitate sustainable industry restart and recovery. In sum, airlines are struggling to survive because of COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions. This situation is likely to persist until at least 2024 if not beyond. Imposing unjustified costs will delay aviation’s recovery and the economic and social benefits that the industry generates. It would also violate the fundamental principle enshrined in the U.S.-EU ATA that user charges must be cost-related. Thank you for your attention to these comments. Keith Glatz, VP-International Affairs, A4A
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Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

30 Nov 2020 · Harvard Study on virus transmission on airplanes

Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

21 Sept 2020

Please see the attached comments from Airlines for America.
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Response to External dimension of the EU policy on Passenger Name Records

11 Sept 2020

Airlines for America Comments to: Commission roadmap: Air travel - sharing passenger name record (PNR) data within the EU and beyond (assessment) Airlines for America (A4A) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Commission’s Roadmap on the external dimension of the EU policy on PNR. A4A is the principal trade and service organization of the U.S. scheduled airline industry. Three of our members, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and one associate member Air Canada, have extensive passenger operations in the EU and a strong vested interest in the EU’s external PNR policy. We support the comments that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has submitted and would like to supplement them with brief observations of our own. A4A appreciates the Commission’s understanding that a carrier can face irreconcilable legal obligations when it receives a third country request for PNR data. Carriers, both EU and non-EU are not permitted to transfer personal data that are subject to EU data protection rules to a third country government in the absence of a bilateral agreement permitting the transfer. According to IATA, 30 jurisdictions require airlines to provide PNR data and some 25 more have plans to do so. The EU has concluded PNR agreements allowing airlines to transfer PNR data with only three of these countries: Australia, Canada and the United States. The growing gap between the number of countries that have PNR régimes and the number that have PNR agreements with the EU exposes carriers to significant potential liability. Carriers face a Hobson’s choice when transporting passengers whose PNR data are subject to EU data protection rules. For example, passengers who purchased tickets at EU point-of-sale, to a country that collects PNR but does not have a PNR agreement with the EU: they can refuse to provide the data and suffer exclusion or other sanctions or they can provide the data and face potential and substantial liability in Europe under GBDR. To avoid this intractable dilemma, we respectfully request the Commission to develop a legal framework that will allow carriers, both EU and non-EU to transfer PNR data to third countries without fear of liability or market exclusion. We have not fully refined our views on which one or more of the five policy options canvassed in the Roadmap would best achieve the Commission’s objective of ensuring that PNR data transfers to third countries are consistent with EU data protection rules. A Regulation that sets out the clear conditions and precise criteria governing PNR data transfers would provide carriers and their passengers with much needed legal certainty. It is also worth exploring the creation of a model agreement that incorporates ICAO PNR requirements and EU data protection rules. Such a model could lay the foundation for swift negotiation and adoption of bilateral or multilateral PNR agreements that will help protect connectivity vital to economic recovery in North America and in the EU. Finally, we support the Commission’s statement that PNR data is “unverified information provided by passengers and collected by and held in the air carriers’ reservation and departure control systems.” This statement recognizes that airlines do not control PNR content. In this regard, A4A continues to believe that requiring airlines to include specific data in a PNR would impose significant administrative burdens without generating comparable public interest benefits. A4A looks forward to assisting the Commission to create a legal framework for the transfer of PNR data to third countries.
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Airlines for America Urges EU to Adopt CORSIA-only Scheme

28 Aug 2020
Topic — This consultation concerns revising the EU Emissions Trading System to implement CORSIA.
Message — A4A requests the EU implement the 'CORSIA only' option for international flights. They argue applying the EU ETS to international flights violates international law.12
Why — This would prevent the loss of funds needed to invest in fuel-efficient technologies.3
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Response to ReFuelEU Aviation - Sustainable Aviation Fuels

21 Apr 2020

Please see the attached document from Nancy Young, Vice President-Environmental Affairs, Airlines for America, that includes our feedback regarding the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Roadmap. Thank you for your attention to these comments.
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Meeting with Filip Alexandru Negreanu Arboreanu (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Gaëlle Michelier (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

9 Dec 2019 · Climate Action, Closer cooperation with US Airlines, Slots, Consumer protection

Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

19 Nov 2019 · aviation

Response to European Partnership for Integrated Air Traffic Management

12 Aug 2019

I am the Managing Director for Air Traffic Management with Airlines for America (A4A). A4A advocates on behalf of its members to shape crucial policies and measures that promote safety, security and a healthy U.S. airline industry. We work collaboratively with the airlines, labor, Congress, the Administration and other groups to improve aviation for the traveling and shipping public. I fully support the Horizon Europe effort. The use of an integrated air traffic management system should simplify processes and create a systemic program that will alleviate stresses on Europe's airspace system, reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiencies. As this project moves forward, I strongly recommend the utilization of a Community Outreach program. Past experiences in the U.S. demonstrated communicating with affected communities on the front end of a project was very effective in ensuring success.
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Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

24 Jul 2019 · Passenger Name Records

Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

19 Mar 2019 · Aviation topics

Response to Summertime consultation

8 Nov 2018

Airlines for America (A4A) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Commission's DST proposals. Please see our attached file. Thank you.
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Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

27 Jun 2018 · Aviation issues

Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

27 Jun 2018 · update on aviation issues

Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

9 Feb 2017 · Aviation topics

Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

27 Jun 2016 · Aviation

Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

1 Jun 2016 · Aviation

Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

24 Feb 2016 · Aviation