It took eight years for the European Union and the Emirate of Qatar to conclude what appears to be a an historic agreement for air transport. It is a historic agreement, because the negotiators of this agreement have described it as comprehensive, which will enable the 27 members of the European Union, as well as Qatar, to have unlimited access and without restriction to their respective territories. It is expected to come into force by the end of 2019, with each member country having to ratify the agreement before it probably takes effect in the last quarter of the year.
What does this mean for travellers? It probably means more choice eventually. The agreement effectively eliminates the barriers which, until now, partly distorted competition, such as the restriction on European airlines working with a general sales agent in Qatar. The agreement guarantees fair competitionEnvironmental protection, consumer protection. These are all social and sustainable aspects that increasingly regulate air transport. The agreement also addresses issues of safety and airspace management.
According to Akbar al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, "The agreement will offer European and Qatari airlines a common platform to better understand each other and create new opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. In our view, the principle of fair competition is very simple: fair access to marketsCompetition for market share is based on products and services, on what the customer wants and is prepared to buy."
Qatar and the European Union are already closely linked. Qatar Airways serves 33 European Union airports - 26 if the UK left the EU - with Malta becoming the Qatari carrier's next European destination. Conversely, only British Airways serves Doha.
Qatar Airways is also a shareholder in the European carrier Air Italy, based at Milan Malpensa, with a stake of almost 21% of IAG sharesthe parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus. In terms of industrial relations with the European Union, Qatar Airways is one of Airbus' most important customers.
The agreement should have a positive impact on European airports. Many secondary destinations should be linked to Qatar in the future. In France, hope is returning to airports such as Basel/Mulhouse, Marseille and Toulouse, which have been fighting for years to obtain a flight to the Gulf. Similarly, Lyon would be delighted to have a second daily flight to the Gulf and, consequently, a connecting flight to Asia.
Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA, said: "Open skies between two regions often produce more traffic. This is certainly not not bad news for the industry. Qataris will have more opportunities to fly to Europe, whether through the national carrier Qatar Airways or through European airlines, which now have the right to land openly in Qatar. You'll have more choice and more opportunities to fly to Europe. This means more competition and therefore more freedom for passengers, and generally lower fares.". His speech might have been less favourable to such an agreement when he was at the head of Air France...
