20-Apr-2010 12:48 PM

Europe’s airlines and airports express relief that European air space will be re-opened

Direct News Source

Brussels, 19 April 2010, as of 20:45 CET: Following a decision taken by European transport ministers this afternoon, most of Europe’s airspace should effectively be re-opened on Tuesday, 20 April as of 6.00 GMT.

Europe's airlines and airports said that the revised restrictions permit the resumption of air services without endangering the safety of operations. Close to 40 non-commercial flights had been undertaken by European airlines in the past days, which revealed no indications of anomalies or irregularities - thus enabling a more detailed analysis of the situation.

In a joint statement, the heads of both organisations, Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE and Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, Secretary General AEA said "We commend the ministers and the European institutions for their approach of maintaining safety whilst ensuring that European mobility is no longer compromised. Today's decision has paved the way for the resolution of what remains the worst disruption to European aviation since World War II. The situation now calls for a full assessment of the financial impact on the aviation industry at large, with an adequate support response at European level."