Published on
February 8, 2026
Recent discussions around suspending the EU-Qatar Comprehensive Aviation Agreement have caused deep concerns within Europe’s airport and aviation sectors. Industry leaders are warning that such a move would severely damage air connectivity, reduce consumer choice, and tarnish the EU’s reputation in global aviation negotiations. The calls for suspension, they argue, could undermine the very principles that have made the EU’s aviation policies successful and competitive on the world stage.
The EU-Qatar agreement, like other Comprehensive Aviation Agreements negotiated by the European Commission, was reached under the direct involvement and approval of EU Member States. It was carefully crafted to ensure both parties benefit from open skies, greater market access, and enhanced regulatory cooperation. This deal has allowed European airports to expand their reach and improve connections with the Middle East, fostering positive economic impacts for local communities and businesses throughout Europe.
At the heart of the concern is the belief that suspending the agreement would disrupt a well-established and mutually beneficial arrangement. Airports across Europe rely on the agreement to diversify their flight routes and improve air traffic flow, which supports local economies and provides consumers with more options for international travel. The ability of European cities to connect directly with Doha and beyond has become a key driver in maintaining the region’s competitiveness in the global travel market.
Critics of the suspension also argue that the claims of Qatar Airways gaining an unfair market share in Europe are unsubstantiated. The airline has not demonstrated any aggressive expansion tactics in the region in recent years. In fact, the airline’s current seat capacity in Europe for the 2025-2026 winter season is still below its 2019 levels by a significant margin—around 10% less—indicating that Qatar Airways has not sought to dominate the market to the detriment of European carriers.
The EU’s approach to open and fair competition, as outlined in the External Aviation Policy, remains a cornerstone of its international aviation strategy. The Qatar agreement reflects this philosophy, offering a balance of benefits to both the European and Qatari aviation markets. Furthermore, there is no clear evidence to suggest that Qatar Airways is receiving preferential treatment in comparison to other global carriers operating in Europe, nor that the agreement has led to any monopolistic behavior.
Suspending such agreements could have wider consequences, not only for air travel but for the credibility of the EU’s global aviation negotiations. The EU has long advocated for open skies and regulatory convergence, and any retreat from these principles could signal an unwillingness to engage with international partners on equal terms. The aviation sector relies on stability and predictable regulatory environments, and any action that jeopardizes these factors could harm both European and international aviation markets.
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In conclusion, the potential suspension of the EU-Qatar Comprehensive Aviation Agreement raises serious concerns for Europe’s airports and the aviation industry as a whole. It is essential that the benefits of such agreements, which foster competition, consumer choice, and connectivity, are carefully weighed against any calls for their termination. A strong, open, and competitive aviation environment is in the best interests of Europe’s economy and the wider international community.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE commented: “There is no question that suspending an existing EU aviation agreement would be damaging for Europe’s airports, and the communities and consumers they serve. Debates over the strategy and position of airlines from the Middle East have been dragging on for years and tend to be rather sterile. In fact, the widening competitive gap between European airlines and their competitors in other World regions is mainly of the EU’s own making. It is due to inadequate and damaging policies and regulations – ranging from taxation and insufficient support for decarbonisation to the failure to deliver the Single European Sky and airport capacity limitations. This only reinforces our call for an EU Aviation Strategy that delivers a much-needed aviation policy reset and ensures aviation is recognised and positioned within the EU’s competitiveness agenda.”
Jankovec concluded: “Rolling back an existing EU Comprehensive Aviation Agreement would also harm the EU’s standing internationally. Such a step would potentially take Europe back to the restrictive and anti-competitive aviation framework of the 1950s – directly contradicting the EU’s own agenda for competitiveness and global positioning”.
