The EC is set to revamp a law enabling it to impose duties on non-EU airlines or suspend their flying rights if it finds they have harmed European airlines, as it seeks to counter rising competition from Gulf carriers. In a draft proposal seen by Reuters, the European Union executive aims to guarantee fair competition between airlines in the bloc by tackling unfair business practices by foreign airlines and their governments which cannot be addressed through open skies agreements. These include illegal government subsidies or favorable treatment when it comes to slot allocation, ground handling services, airport charges and refueling, among others. The proposal is likely to stoke tensions between European legacy carriers - hit by increased competition on long-haul routes and shifting traffic flows to Asia - and the three major Middle Eastern airlines. Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways have faced accusations of receiving illegal state subsides, which they deny. The Commission has come under heavy pressure from France and Germany as well as their flag carriers, Air France and Lufthansa, to do more to tackle the challenge posed by the Gulf airlines. Lufthansa has started cooperating with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad. But the issue of unfair competition has not gone away, with Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr repeating last week that he rejected subsidies as he signed a catering deal and maintenance project with Etihad. The draft law would replace the current one, adopted in 2004 to counter unfair pricing practices by US airlines on transatlantic routes. It has never been used and is widely considered to be ineffective.<br/>
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The Anglo-Spanish tussle over the rock of Gibraltar has emerged as a significant hazard in Britain’s search for an ambitious Brexit deal to preserve access to Europe’s skies for its GBP60b airline industry. While Spain has made positive overtures to London since the Brexit vote and warned Europe against seeking a punitive deal, it has also signalled it would block UK access to the EU’s single aviation market unless the terms exclude Gibraltar’s international airport. “Any EU agreement with the UK on aviation cannot apply to the airport of Gibraltar,” said one Spanish diplomat. “A deal that is applicable to the airport of Gibraltar would imply recognition of the legal right of the UK to the territory.” The comments suggest a 300-year political dispute over the rock — which is currently holding-up three pieces of airline legislation in Brussels — could spill into some of the key elements of the Brexit negotiations. The UK’s post-Brexit air access options include attempting to retain membership of the European Common Aviation Area, which would mean it keeps full access, or seek a bilateral “open skies” agreement with the EU, which is likely to have more restrictive terms. Both deals would, however, require unanimous support from all EU member states. The diplomatic warning suggests that Spain is not prepared to accept a deal in which Gibraltar airport is given the same rights as UK mainland airports. Spain argues that Gibraltar airport is illegally located on Spanish land. It says the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which ceded the town, castle and port of Gibraltar to Britain, did not include the rights to the isthmus on which the airport is built. A deal to maintain access to Europe’s skies is vital for the UK airline industry. The creation of the single aviation market sharply increased the number of airlines operating across the EU and lowered fares. It also ensured easier access to the US, Canada and elsewhere. The disagreement over Gibraltar airport is holding up a number of EU aviation laws that have been frozen pending a solution.<br/>
A congressional report on the terrorist threat posed by airport “insiders” says the Transportation Security Administration, airport operators and airlines must do a better job of screening workers such as baggage handlers or cleaning crews for possible security threats. It’s also treading depressingly familiar ground. The report, released this week by the House Homeland Security Committee’s majority staff, cites several cases going back as far as 2008 in which aviation workers, former employees or contractors were recruited to fight for ISIS or other terrorist groups or engaged in efforts to smuggle firearms or other contraband aboard aircraft. It says the nation’s approximately 450 airports remain vulnerable to insider attacks because they have not taken the steps necessary to properly check and periodically recheck employees’ backgrounds in a comprehensive way. It cites instances where security badges have gone missing. It also says most airport and the aviation industry have still not implemented “full employee screening” — or even agreed what that means. And it urged the wider use of biometric controls and better sharing of information among law enforcement and national security agencies.<br/>
Nigerian airport employees may walk out over pay issues at the capital's temporary airport while the main airport's runway is being repaired, their trade union said on Saturday. The Abuja airport runway had deteriorated to such an extent that some major international airlines had refused to fly there, and some aircraft reported damage to their undercarriage. Nigeria's government has said airlines will be able to use the airport at the provincial city of Kaduna, 100 miles north of Abuja during the six-week repair period from March 8. But scepticism over the government's plans reigns, as a new terminal for Kaduna was still being built in January and airlines have said they will not fly there to keep servicing Abuja. "The federal government has to pay staff posted from Abuja to Kaduna all their entitlements before we can contemplate moving to Kaduna to give our services," said Olayinka Abioye, secretary general of the National Union Of Air Transport Employees. "There have been situations in the past when such staff were owed their travel and other associated entitlements for two to three years. We do not want a repeat."<br/>
The air transportation sector is turning slowly toward sustainable fuels as part of the global fight against climate change. But adoption has been delayed due to a lack of incentives and low oil prices. "It's very urgent to develop these alternative fuels," said Michel Wachenheim of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA). "There is no reason to be satisfied with the situation." Despite an expected increase in airline traffic, the aviation industry is the first commercial sector to commit itself to limiting carbon emissions within 20 years, through a binding mechanism. But to achieve that goal, the industry must look at a variety of options. Even partially replacing jet fuel with sustainable biofuels can make an impact. That is one of the four options favored by the ICAO, which convened a panel of experts on Wednesday and Thursday in Montreal to address the dilemma. Lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, optimized flight plans, or turning off jet engines while on the tarmac also would help to cut emissions. But meeting the 20-year commitment will require widespread adoption of alternative fuels that produce less carbon emissions over their life cycle than jet fuel produced from petroleum. The ultimate goal is to make a fuel-equivalent to jet fuel, but those processes still are under development or at an early stage of industrial production.<br/>
Hamburg Airport passenger terminals were evacuated briefly on Sunday after passengers complained of nausea at the central security checkpoint. Both terminals and the Airport Plaza were evacuated and flights suspended from 12:10 until 13:40. The airport authority said 14 flights were cancelled and several diverted to other airports. Emergency services treated 68 people who complained of breathing difficulties. Police reports indicated a gas had been released into the air and circulated through the ventilation system. A Hamburg fire service spokesman said later that the incident was not a terrorist attack. There was some disruption to flights at Germany’s fifth busiest airport during the remainder of the day after passengers were allowed back into the terminals and services resumed.<br/>