EU's proposed aviation regulations could set new standards for GCC airlines

The European Commission is working on a number of new aviation proposals that will allow the European Union (EU) to negotiate more comprehensive aviation agreements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations on the regional level.

As the GCC’s aviation industry continues to carve out a larger share of the global travel market, the EU hopes new aviation rules will bring about greater cooperation and transparency with Gulf countries.

The EU’s goal is to bring all member nations’ aviation agreements into accord – a move that will have global implications for airline operators. If adopted by the EU, the proposals will mean that GCC-based airlines flying into Europe will operate under a more unified set of rules and regulations.

The growth of the GCC’s aviation industry has redrawn the map of global flight routes, with nations like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar becoming international airline hubs. The fact that the EU does more annual direct air traffic through the UAE than China, India and Japan combined is telling of the growing importance of the GCC region’s aviation presence.

That means the EU is interested in making comprehensive aviation agreements with GCC states that would serve to benefit both regions. The main agreements the EU is hoping to set with GCC nations are regulatory cooperation for aviation safety standards, airline security and economic regulations to ensure competitive markets.