A committee of the European Union Parliament has backed a
proposal to create a complaint-handling mechanism for airlines believing
they have been harmed by anticompetitive practices of non-EU carriers.
Such practices could include the receipt of state subsidies
as well as unfair pricing.
The European Commission could launch such an investigation
on its own initiative or following a complaint from a EU airline, a group of EU
airlines or a member state.
"Fair competition should primarily be addressed through
air transport agreements and the EU should engage in a constructive dialogue
with non-EU countries to include fair competition clauses in such agreements,"
the European Parliament's Transport Committee said in a statement. "However,
a complementary, effective and dissuasive complaints-handling instrument is
needed to ensure connectivity and fair competition, thus preserving jobs in
European airlines."
The process could provide an avenue of complaint for legacy
European aviation groups Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, both of which have
accused Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways of accepting illegal
state subsidies. The three Gulf airlines deny those charges.
Investigations would need to be completed within a year. If
a complaint were to be found valid, the EU would be empowered to take
corrective measures, including levying fines against the offending carrier.
However, measures that could adversely impact consumers, connectivity or
aviation employees would not be allowed.
"Our companies are among the most competitive in the
world, but pressure from highly subsidized third country carriers is
increasing," Transport Committee member Markus Pieper of Germany said in
prepared remarks. "Carriers from the Gulf region, Turkey, China and Russia
have strong state connections which can cause market distortions. We have now
developed an aviation defense instrument that will protect without being
protectionist, and should persuade and deter rather than punish."
To be implemented, the proposal must be approved by the
council of EU member states.