Europe's 'big five' airlines launch new alliance

In an unprecedented step, Europe's five largest airline groups including budget carriers EasyJet and Ryanair on Wednesday launched a new alliance to combat rising airport charges amid a fierce battle with Gulf rivals. The new association dubbed Airlines for Europe (A4E) brings together the budget airlines with giants Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and the International Airline Group, parent company of both British Airways and Iberia. The alliance will "represent the interests of its members when dealing with the EU institutions, international organisations and national governments on European aviation issues," it said. In their first act, the five managing directors of the member airlines called for swift steps to stop European travellers being "fleeced by excessive airport charges" and for the removal of "unreasonable taxes". "Six months ago we got together to agree that Europe needs a loud and unified and clear voice to represent the airline industry in order to bring changes to the EU aviation framework," said Willie Walsh, CE of IAG. The new association will "support and create jobs and support the interest of aviation in Europe," he said.<br/>