Brussels, 20th March 2014 – The AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) is disappointed with the European Parliament Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee’s decision NOT to support the compromise reached in the Trilogue. By allowing ICAO until the end of 2016 to find a solution, , the Trilogue is signalling that Europe wishes to work with the international community in finding a global resolution on aviation emissions.

“Given the current economic challenges that Europe as a whole is facing and fearing trade retaliatory measures being imposed by third countries on the European aeronautics industry, we need support rather than market distortion. From the industry point of view we prefer to focus on the broader approach [1] reached at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) General Assembly last autumn. The ICAO approach should give us a global solution by 2017 saving far more CO2 emissions – without creating market distortions – than a Europe only scheme. ”, said Jan Pie, ASD Secretary General.

Therefore ASD strongly advocates that the Plenary of the European Parliament endorses the compromise solution reached in Trilogue and allows ICAO to work on the global solution without political interference.

About ASD

ASD represents the Aeronautics, Space, Security and Defence industries in Europe. Based in Brussels, the organisation’s membership today comprises 16 major European aerospace and defence companies and 27 member associations in 20 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK). These industries reach a turnover of 186.8 billion euros, invest 17.6 billion euros in R&D,  employ more than 750.000 people and counts over 2000 companies, 80 000 suppliers, many of which are SMEs.