Quantcast

European Network Airlines Association calls for probe into EU-Qatar skies deal amid corruption claims

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
European Network Airlines Association calls for probe into EU-Qatar skies deal amid corruption claims
Policy
Webp received 845613761019623
Dr. Walter Goetz European Network Airlines Association Cabinet Member | Official Website

The European Network Airlines Association (ENAA) has requested the European Commission (EC) to investigate the Open Skies agreement between the European Union (EU) and Qatar. This request comes in light of the 'Qatargate' corruption scandal that emerged in December 2022.

According to POLITICO, ENAA sent a letter to the EC's Mobility and Transport Department (DG MOVE), urging an investigation into whether the EU-Qatar Open Skies agreement can be upheld. The association, which includes airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS, and TAP Air Portugal, claims that Qatar has not provided financial transparency.

As a result of these concerns, ENAA is calling for immediate action from the EC to ensure compliance with the Open Skies agreement and has asked DG MOVE to require Qatar to demonstrate adherence to fair competition obligations within a month.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In 2018, Qatar Airways and two other Middle Eastern carriers reached an agreement with the US government to publish detailed financial reports after allegations by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines regarding illegal subsidies.

This is not the first time European airlines have questioned the EU-Qatar Open Skies agreement. In December 2024, Lufthansa Group urged Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EC, to suspend the agreement due to serious corruption allegations. Airports Council International (ACI) Europe responded by stating that suspending the agreement would harm EU's international credibility and limit airport expansion opportunities.

The corruption allegations related to 'Qatargate' surfaced in December 2022 when Belgian police arrested several members of the European Parliament over accusations of accepting bribes from countries including Qatar. Despite assurances from Carlos Bermejo Acosta of DG MOVE that there was no room for illegal speculation regarding the Open Skies agreement with Qatar in January 2023, POLITICO later revealed that Henrik Hololei received free business class flights from Qatar Airways during negotiations.

Věra Jourová stated that "competent Commission services are currently looking into" Hololei's trips but found no indication of undue influence on negotiations. She emphasized that "the aviation agreement between the EU and Qatar ensures...high standards for safety [and] fair competition."

The EC announced in 2021 that this Open Skies agreement would replace all bilateral agreements between EU Member States and provide a unified legal basis for developing aviation markets between Qatar and Europe. Data shows that in June 2025, Qatar Airways plans 348 weekly frequencies from 30 airports in Europe compared to June 2019 when it had 379 weekly flights.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Jul 16, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of services to seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Yerevan—beginning in November 2025.

Jul 16, 2025

Airlines for America has emphasized the need for increased funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire more air traffic controllers, update infrastructure, and build on the One Big Beautiful Bill down payment.

Jul 16, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a complete closure of Aviation Boulevard between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard from July 14 at 9 a.m. to July 21 at 6 a.m. Shuttle access to the LAX/Metro Transit Center will remain...

Jul 16, 2025

Avianca has announced the launch of a social media thread on X, inviting travelers to explore Dallas as a new destination.

Jul 16, 2025

Finnair announced that Palta and the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (IAU) have reached a negotiation result, leading to the cancellation of all previously announced strikes and the resumption of normal flight operations.

Jul 16, 2025