Strengthening Aviation Collaboration in Europe Europe’s aviation leaders call for stronger collaboration between governments and industry to drive competitiveness and sustainability. At the International Air Transport Association’s Wings of Change Europe (WOCE) conference in Rome, key airline and industry leaders united in urging greater alignment between policymakers and aviation stakeholders. Highlights from the discussions: • Competitiveness & Sustainability: Filip Cornelis of the European Commission’s DG MOVE emphasized the importance of transforming aviation into a “bright green” sector through innovation and strategic investment. • Overregulation Challenges: Industry leaders, including IATA DG Willie Walsh, pointed out how overregulation is hampering Europe’s global competitiveness. Reforms to EU 261 and reviving the Single European Sky initiative were flagged as urgent priorities. • Sustainability Beyond Taxation: Panellists criticized taxation as an ineffective sustainability tool, calling instead for actionable measures such as scaling up SAF production incentives and implementing the Draghi report’s recommendations. Key takeaway: Practical solutions like the Single European Sky, which could reduce emissions by 10% overnight, are critical for enabling a sustainable future for aviation while preserving accessibility for millions. Now is the time for governments and industry to work together to secure a greener, more competitive future for aviation.