The Aviation Platform, whose first meeting took place on 20 October, was set up to give strategic advice to the Vice President in order to establish the basis for a sustainable future for air transport and a competitive future for the European aviation industry.

The Commission announced the establishment of an Aviation Platform in the wake of April's volcanic ash cloud crisis, as a means to engage strategic dialogue with the sector. The Platform met for the first time in Brussels on 20 October, involving 15 top-level personalities from the aviation sector, representing airlines, airports, trade unions, air traffic management and the aviation industry, in a debate with European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for of transport.

Aviation Platform main conclusions

• Ensure the full implementation of the European Single Sky, as agreed by Governments.
• Extend the work already being done by the Commission to strengthen the possibilities for European aviation to enter new markets – through the signing of bi-lateral agreements.
• Define an effective governance structure for the future deployment of SESAR (Singe European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) the technological arm of Single Sky.
• Extend the Single Sky principles to areas beyond the borders of the European Union
• A decision by the Vice President to establish a high level group on aviation research to look into the specific challenges faced by aviation sector in this area.

In spite of the global economic crisis, more than 750 million passengers departed from or arrived at EU airports in 2009. The aviation industry (which includes airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, groundhandling providers, maintenance organisations) directly employs about 700,000 people in Europe. Until recently, air transport in Europe had shown high growth rates, despite facing increasing environmental and capacity challenges.