European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) is today holding its AGM in Copenhagen as it outlines strategies to enable the continued affordability of airline travel in light of recent air transport regulation endorsed by the European Commission.

ELFAA�s AGM follows the recent announcement of new member easyJet, which brings member passenger figures to 100 million per year. This strong growth in just 18 months further consolidates the association�s position as the voice of Europe�s low fares airlines. In this capacity, the association�s AGM will address concerns regarding over-regulation and taxation of the industry which it deems a serious threat to the future of low cost air travel.

Over-regulation a threat to development of European regions ELFAA has indicated to the European Commission that the current trend to re-regulate the liberalised air transport market in Europe through more and more legislative and para-legislative proposals is a serious threat to the benefits that low fares airlines generate in European regions in terms of improved regional integration, increased tourism and jobs creation. The weight of regulations is also likely to affect consumers by making European air travel less affordable in the long term.

Further taxation for European Airlines reduces consumer opportunities The European Commission�s proposals for additional levies on European Airlines as a means of financing development aid for Africa will also be discussed at today�s AGM. European airlines are one of the most highly taxed industry sectors and operate almost exclusively without state subsidiaries, in addition to contending with rising fuel charges. An additional levy on air travel passengers� tickets would result in higher ticket prices and consequently compromise consumer opportunities to travel by air. Long term, a rise in air fares could be detrimental to the industry and could put aviation services jobs at risk.

Jan Skeels, ELFAA General Secretary, said, �With 100 million passengers a year now travelling with ELFAA member airlines, we are more concerned than ever to protect the travel interests of consumers and the development of regions throughout Europe through increased tourism. Today�s AGM will provide a forum for discussion of pressing industry issues as our members try and secure plans and policies to maintain low cost air travel in Europe.�

-ends- NOTE TO THE EDITORS: ELFAA Members include: Air Berlin, easyJet, flybe, Hapag-Lloyd Express, Norwegian, Ryanair, Sky Europe, Sterling, Sverige Flyg, Transavia and wizzair. Low fares services currently account for almost 30% of scheduled intra-European traffic. ELFAA members will carry approximately 100 million passengers to over 400 destinations in 2005.

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