On 27-28 November ECA held its annual General Assembly in Brussels. As is customary for the ECA Conference, many important issues were discussed with pilots’ associations.

One of our main topics at this General Assembly was the launch of ECA’s Safety Strategy: “Flight plan to Safety”. The first copy of this important document outlining the most pressing issues for aviation was handed over to our keynote speaker Mr. Patrick Ky, EASA’s Executive Director. In his speech, Mr Ky highlighted the need for cooperation between aviation stakeholders, such as ECA and EASA. He also touched upon many of the key issues discussed in the ECA Safety Strategy. 

Further, ECA Members agreed that establishing fair competition in the aviation world is one of the highest priorities for the upcoming years. In Europe some airlines are already using loopholes in Member States’ legislation to avoid taxes and social payments or to hire non-European crews for inter-European flights. With a large number of unemployed pilots in Europe this is really not acceptable. Also some airlines outside Europe benefit from large support from their governments via tax reductions, cheap loans or free infrastructure, creating an unlevelled playing field against European Carriers. ECA will work together with the Association of European Airlines (AEA), the European Commission and National Authorities to look into this and make sure that those airlines with such advantages will not harm their European competitors and pilot employees.

The ECA Conference was also addressed by Evert van Zwol, Interim Chairman of the Ryanair Pilot Group Council. He shared his thoughts on the progress made by the RPG to support Ryanair pilots in their struggle for fair and uniform employment contracts and dialogue with company management. Still a lot of work has to be done and we surely hope that the airline will get in open talks with their most valuable asset - the pilots. An open discussion and understanding can only be of mutual benefit for both the company and its employees. 

During the ECA Conference we also had to say “Goodbye” to Francis Nardy (ECA Vice-President), who unfortunately had to step down from the position for personal reasons. The Conference elected Jon Horne to replace him as Vice-President and represent the European region at IFALPA. Jon Horne’s position as Professional Affairs Director will be taken over by Jean-Michel Péloffy. With a full Board we are sure we can continue to represent the European Pilots’ interests in Europe.
 

by Nico Voorbach