Speaking in a panel debate, Barry Humphreys, chairman of BKH Aviation, argued ownership and control rules, which allow governments to dictate who can own an airline, were “archaic and wholly inconsistent compared with other industries”. He added: “Common sense should prevail and we should have a major reform.”
European Aviation Club chairman Rigas Doganis agreed, adding: “The more you deregulate, the more people that are employed in aviation. It is as simple as that.”
Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, managing director of Aviation Strategy & Concepts, defended the rules, which he claimed ease negotiations over things like bilateral agreements between governments. He said: “It has been effective. Ownership and control is the fundamental pillar of sovereignty. It makes perfect sense that governments want to control aviation policy.”
He added that the regulations were vital to governments keen to keep control of their economies, as airlines “strongly impact GDP growth”.
