Commissioner A. Tzitzikostas at the International Paris Air Show

The International Paris Air Show 2025 was visited by Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who was the keynote speaker at an event on the competitiveness of European aviation.

The Paris Air Show is the largest gathering of aerospace professionals in the world. The Commissioner attended the official opening of the Show and watched the Air Show of civil and military aircraft.

Mr. Tzitzikostas, together with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Stephane Sejourne, visited the exhibition stands at Le Bourget airport in Paris, including those of the European Commission and leading aviation companies, such as Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Safran, Leonardo, and ATR.

He also had bilateral meetings and talks with the Prime Minister of France, François Bayrou, and the US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy.

In his keynote speech, the Commissioner pointed out that this year’s Exhibition comes at a crucial time, as the EU shapes its aviation policy, also based on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Mr Tzitzikostas underlined that his absolute priority is to maintain and strengthen the EU’s global leadership in aircraft technology.

The Commissioner referred to the challenges facing the aerospace sector and underlined that "developments in urban air mobility, air taxis and unmanned aviation are extremely promising. Sectors that are advancing rapidly demonstrate the importance and power of innovation. At the same time, air traffic management and control must respond to the challenges posed by digitalisation, automation, and efficiency. Continuous research and innovation are essential, as is the rapid development of new technologies. Air transport is key to European connectivity. And it must be competitive, efficient, and sustainable".

The Commissioner made special reference to sustainable aviation fuels, clean air transport, the changes that need to be made to airport infrastructure, but also to the new passenger service framework.

Concluding his speech, the Commissioner underlined that "the EU has already announced that the European Commission's research and innovation programme will continue in the new Multiannual Financial Framework. This can play a decisive role in promoting European competitiveness, which is also a political priority for the current composition of the Commission and for me personally as Commissioner".