After 8 years working with one of Europe's largest airlines on a ‘self-employment’ contract, I managed to secure new direct employment with a well-respected Long Haul Legacy airline, a career move I had been celebrating earlier this year.

The importance of European aviation to society is multifold: it provides significant economic¹ contributions, as well as builds connectivity – within the EU and towards the rest of the world.

Because of the effects of COVID-19, the sector is currently facing an unprecedented crisis both at

If ever there was a doubt about the importance of helicopter operations, COVID-19 completely erased it. While almost everybody is advised (or ordered) by the authorities to stay at home and keep a proper distance to avoid spreading the virus, we – helicopter pilots – still crawl into our

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many among us are still operating flights, be it as a skeleton service, rescue or cargo missions. Since so many authorities have published guidance to limit spreading of the virus – covering different areas in more detail – and some incorrect

While the fixed wing industry across the world is in freefall, Helicopter Search and Rescue services are still needed – pandemic or not. This is why, together with the rest of the crew of the Irish Coast Guard, we keep working on an ‘operations and essential training only’ basis to limit

As flight crew on cargo aeroplanes, we are often seen as second-class pilots by many in the industry – not “good enough” for passengers and without all the glamour that accompanies airline pilots in Hollywood movies.

We have no doubt about the resilience of our airline group thanks to its “very strong balance sheet and substantial cash liquidity” amounting to over €4 billion. At the same time, we believe the extraordinary circumstances we are experiencing call for a united and socially responsible

The ongoing, fast-evolving COVID-19 crisis with the extremely severe knock-on effects on the economy represents an unprecedented challenge for our European societies. It is our collective responsibility, with the European institutions and national authorities at the forefront, to step up

Unfortunately, this is not going to be a neat editorial with a thoughtful message, or a well-structured narrative and a satisfying ending.

As I write this, the World Health Organisation has just declared the Coronavirus outbreak and spread of Covid-19 a pandemic, and all of our plans,

An attentive EU-policy connoisseur knows that the revision of EU Air Services Regulation 1008/2008 is coming soon. This major piece of legislation setts the fundaments of how the aviation business works in Europe. It covers anything from licensing, leasing, to airline Ownership & Control

A new ECA publication draws attention to the need to adapt pilot training for the next generation of commercial line pilots. “The Future of the Airline Pilot Profession” looks at the pilot training syllabus, which largely remained the same for decades despite generations of new

Europe is showing a misplaced pride in the new wave of liberalisation in air transport. The ongoing and recently concluded air transport agreements with 3rd countries still carry a strong liberal footprint but have made only a modest attempt at protecting fair competition and EU social