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As subscribers to the Aviation Intelligence Reporter will be aware, Europe’s latest trade association has yet to be named. The official announcement is expected at the European Aviation Summit next week. In the meantime, rumours have been circulating that the name will be…(drumroll please)… A4E. That’s ‘Airlines for Europe’ to you and me.
Where do we start? There are the minor matters such as that it is a clear and sycophantic imitation of the American association, A4A. We also struggle to take an organisation that names itself using ‘txt speak’ seriously. What’s next? Entire submissions consisting of emojis?
More seriously, the name (if that is indeed where they end up) would be a clear indication that the focus of A4E’s resources is on European markets, and in preserving this market for European airlines. This is despite the European Commission giving a clear message in its recent Aviation Package that the success of European airlines depends on markets outside Europe.
Based on what we know so far, A4E’s other priorities include lobbying for more regulation of airports and lower taxes for airlines. It is also keen to push for the faster implementation of the Single European Sky.
A4E (or whatever it is called) obviously thinks it can succeed where IATA, AEA, ELFAA and IACA have failed. It’ll need to come up with some new arguments – and evidence to support these – if it is to do so. Having a funky name simply isn’t enough. A4E should also bear in mind that there is little the European Commission can do about any of these issues, which are largely in the hands of the individual States.
There is still time for A4E to reconsider its name – and its priorities – before the big launch. We’ve provided a few options below. Feel free to add your own in the comments below. We’ll be sure to pass them on.
Fortress Europe
Federation of Airlines Thinking About Limiting and Isolating Successful Markets (FATALISM)
Regular European TRansport Enterprises Against Taxes (RETREAT)
Airlines Trying to Totally Annihilate Competition of any Kind (ATTACK)
Or, sticking with the emoji idea, how about simply:
