Air -

European Commission adopts new guidelines for state aid to airports and airlines - The European Commission adopted on 20 February 2014 new guidelines on how Member States can support airports and airlines in line with EU state aid rules. Key features include state aid for investment in airport infrastructure, operating aid to regional airports and start-up aid to airlines to launch a new air route.

European Parliament pushes for enforceable air passenger rights-on 5 February 2014, the European Parliament voted on proposals from the European Commission to strengthen passenger rights including: measures to ensure that air passengers have rights to information, care and re-routing when they are stranded at the airport. At the same time there will be clearer complaint procedures and enforcement measures.

Aviation emissions: Environment MEPs support airspace approach until 2016 – On 30 January 2014, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament voted to decide that the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) will cover CO2 emissions from intercontinental flights to or from EU airports for the emissions over EU and EEA airspace from April 2015 to April 2016. The current full “stop the clock” regime, covering intra-EU flights only, will continue until April 2015.