European Cockpit Crew Association Warns Germany Against Enhanced Traffic Rights for Gulf Carriers

The European Cockpit Association (ECA), an umbrella group for pilot and flight engineer unions, has warned Germany against giving airlines from the United Arab Emirates more traffic rights. The ECA says such rights should only be considered if fair competition is guaranteed.

The association points to gaps in social standards and the continued use of Russian airspace by airlines like Emirates. European carriers cannot use Russian airspace because of the war in Ukraine, which means longer routes and higher costs.

The ECA also warned that more traffic rights could permanently shift passenger flows through non-European hubs. That, it said, could hurt jobs, economic value, and the competitiveness of European airports.