The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reacted cautiously to the publication on 1st December of the European Commission’s Airport Package of legislation which is aimed at addressing the critical issues of European airport capacity and competitiveness.

IATA highlighted two of the package’s positive features:

• IATA welcomes the further liberalization of the ground handling market which should allow airlines to provide a better and more efficient service at European airports.
• IATA acknowledged that by legalizing secondary trading of airport slots, the package provides a regulatory foundation for a practice that has become widespread. Transparent rules will ensure that this is done in fairness to all parties concerned.