ACI Europe reacted to calls to suspend the Comprehensive Aviation Agreement between the EU and Qatar, stating that such a step would damage air connectivity, consumer choice and the EU’s global credibility.
Critical Statement from ACI Europe
Members of Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) expressed deep concern over recent calls to suspend the Comprehensive Aviation Agreement signed between the European Union (EU) and Qatar.
The organisation stressed that such a decision would weaken air connectivity in Europe, reduce passenger choices and harm the EU’s credibility internationally.
“The Agreement Is Fully Aligned with EU Policy”
According to ACI Europe, the agreement with Qatar was negotiated by the European Commission under the request and supervision of member states and entered into force with the approval of those member states.
The agreement is based on principles of open and unrestricted market access, regular consultation mechanisms between the parties and regulatory convergence. In this respect, it is stated to be fully aligned with the EU’s External Aviation Policy.
“No Evidence of Unfair Competition”
The statement noted that there is no concrete evidence that the EU-Qatar agreement provides Qatar Airways with a dominant or unfair market advantage over European airlines.
According to data, Qatar Airways’ filled seat capacity in Europe remained 10 percent below pre-pandemic 2019 levels during the 2025-2026 IATA winter season (October 2025 – March 2026). This was interpreted as indicating that the airline is not pursuing aggressive expansion in the European market.
“The EU Should Confront Its Own Competitiveness Issues”
ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec stated that suspending the current agreement would be harmful for European airports and the communities they serve.
Jankovec noted that debates about the position of Middle Eastern airlines have continued for years without conclusion, adding that the main reason European airlines struggle in global competition may lie in policies within the EU itself.
In this context:
High taxation, insufficient support for the decarbonisation process, failure to implement the Single European Sky, airport capacity constraints were identified as factors weakening Europe’s competitiveness.
“Risk of Returning to the Restrictive Model of the 1950s”
ACI Europe argued that withdrawing from the current Comprehensive Aviation Agreement would harm the EU’s international standing.
The statement said such a step could take Europe back to the restrictive and anti-competitive aviation regulatory model of the 1950s, which would contradict the EU’s goals of competitiveness and global positioning.
