{"id":493,"date":"2016-01-15T11:35:25","date_gmt":"2016-01-15T09:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aviationadvocacy.aero\/blog\/?p=493"},"modified":"2019-07-23T11:46:50","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T09:46:50","slug":"a4e-doomed-2-fail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aviationadvocacy.aero\/blog\/?p=493","title":{"rendered":"A4E: doomed 2 fail?"},"content":{"rendered":"As subscribers to the Aviation Intelligence Reporter<\/em> will be aware, Europe\u2019s 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\u2026(drumroll please)\u2026 A4E. That\u2019s \u2018Airlines for Europe\u2019 to you and me.\r\n\r\nWhere 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 \u2018txt speak\u2019 seriously. What\u2019s next? Entire submissions consisting of emojis?\r\n\r\nMore seriously, the name (if that is indeed where they end up) would be a clear indication that the focus of A4E\u2019s 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<\/a> that the success of European airlines depends on markets outside Europe.\r\n\r\nBased on what we know so far, A4E\u2019s 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.\r\n\r\nA4E (or whatever it is called) obviously thinks it can succeed where IATA, AEA, ELFAA and IACA have failed. It\u2019ll 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\u2019t 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.\r\n\r\nThere is still time for A4E to reconsider its name – and its priorities – before the big launch. We\u2019ve provided a few options below. Feel free to add your own in the comments below. We\u2019ll be sure to pass them on.\r\n