The membership of the European Regions Association met in Berlin this week to talk about thorny issues such as competition, financing the green transition and resource scarcity.

Over 250 prominent industry executives from more than 140 businesses, including leaders from 38 European airlines, have participated in the conference, leveraging their expertise to address the most pressing issues facing the regional aviation sector.

Addressing the topic of competition raised the question of whether all regional airlines can thrive in Europe’s changing aviation landscape. The consensus was that competition is generally positive but that there is a need to balance competition with connectivity. Discussions addressed ongoing challenges, including mergers and the closure of regional airports due to economic issues. This sparked debate about the need to prioritise operational aid to maintain regional connectivity as Henrik Mørch, Director, DG COMP, European Commission emphasised the importance of feedback from regional airlines to guide revisions to State Aid rules in the aviation sector.

Mørch also stressed the importance of flexibility in overcoming challenges, stating: “In a landscape of fierce competition, the key to success lies in strategic resilience and adaptability. Embracing change and innovation will pave the way for sustained growth in the regional aviation industry.”

Attention turned to focus on how the green revolution can be funded, with emphasis on the finance required to achieve net-zero emissions. Anne-Bart Tieleman, CEO of lessor TrueNoord, discussed the critical challenge of financing the green transition, stating: “As we navigate the accelerating push to decarbonise our industry, we are presented with a significant opportunity for European aviation. Investing in technological research, exploring new propulsion systems and advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be crucial. Europe has the chance to lead in this field by building a comprehensive sustainable aviation fuel industry. To achieve this, EU and European governments must support funding for production capability. It’s time for Europe to establish a leading SAF industry.”

Maria Rueda, Strategy and Safety Management Director at EASA, emphasised that effective communication is paramount to ensure the highest safety standards, especially within the dynamic realm of regional aviation and added: “Within Europe, there is increasing focus on sustainability and technology, presenting exciting opportunities to forge alliances and cross-organisational engagement. ERA events offer a wonderful opportunity to foster synergy between stakeholders.”

Montserrat Barriga, ERA’s Director General closed the event by remarking: “Throughout this conference, we’ve heard a resounding call for strategic resilience and adaptability, acknowledging the fierce competition we face. We have a shared understanding that challenges like resource scarcity present opportunities for innovation and transformation. Urgency surrounds the green transition, emphasising the need to invest in technology and SAF to lead Europe towards a sustainable future. Effective communication is highlighted as vital for fostering alliances and engagement, especially in ensuring safety standards and sustainability.