On 23 March 2017, the European Economic and Social Committee together with the Committee of Regions and the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU jointly held a high-level conference on "Improving Regional Air Connectivity for Europe – a Pre-condition for Sustainable Economic Growth". While in major hub airports connectivity is usually dependant mainly on increasing capacity, further development of regional connectivity in the EU depends on a number of factors such as airport infrastructure, airline business models, regulatory and economic frameworks and geography. Conference participants attempted to address these factors and provide concrete solutions to what should be done to improve regional air connectivity in a sustainable manner. This event is part of a series of follow up activities that the EESC has been undertaking in support of the implementation of the Aviation Strategy.
The conference was a step in the process of shaping Europe's core network corridors. As a follow-up to successful Malmö conference (6 May 2015), it represented another concrete activity to engage with civil society to discuss and support implementation of the Corridors.
The event was organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) together with the Region of Lombardy and a group of Italian stakeholders, in close cooperation with the European Commission (DG MOVE).
EESC, Room VM3 - Rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The hearing allowed aviation stakeholders to come together and shape concrete proposals for successful implementation of the aviation strategy, in order to inform the EESC's forthcoming opinion on this issue.
EESC, room VMA3, rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is currently preparing an own initiative opinion on "The impact of the conclusions of COP21 on European transport policy". A hearing was organized in order to gather relevant views on this issue and shape concrete proposals to inform the EESC's forthcoming opinion.
