European Commission seeks views on new EU Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy

The European Commission has launched a consultation seeking feedback on the development of a new EU Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy, aimed at shaping the future direction of the bloc’s aviation sector.

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The initiative invites input from industry stakeholders, public authorities, researchers and citizens to help inform a strategy expected to set out a long-term framework for aviation policy across the European Union.

According to the Commission, the strategy will be designed to strengthen Europe’s aviation and aeronautics sectors amid what it describes as a period of “heightened uncertainty”. It says the industry is facing a challenging operating environment driven by factors including rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and increasing global competition.

The consultation forms part of preparatory work on a broader policy framework that is expected to address competitiveness, resilience and decarbonisation in aviation, as well as support for innovation and industrial capacity within the sector.

The Commission said the strategy will aim to provide a comprehensive approach to ensuring the aviation and aeronautics industries remain competitive while also supporting wider EU objectives such as the green and digital transitions. It also highlighted the importance of maintaining Europe’s strategic autonomy in key industrial sectors.

The call for evidence is the first stage in the policy development process and will be followed by further stakeholder engagement. Contributions gathered through the consultation are expected to feed into the drafting of the strategy, which is anticipated later in 2026.

The aviation and aeronautics sectors are considered a key part of the EU economy, supporting connectivity, employment and industrial output, while also playing a central role in the bloc’s efforts to reduce transport emissions over the coming decades.