European network carriers and aviation labour groups have stepped up pressure on Brussels to pause the EU–Qatar “open skies” pact, arguing that the agreement’s legitimacy has been undermined by the ethics case that ended with the dismissal of the EU’s former top transport official.
At the center is the EU–Qatar Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA), provisionally applied since 2021, which grants Qatar Airways broad traffic rights into the EU while offering EU airlines expanded access to Qatar. Airline CEOs (including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and SAS) and unions (including pilot and cabin crew bodies) urged Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to “immediately suspend” the deal until concerns about “corruption, undue influence and conflicts of interest” are resolved.
The trigger is the sacking of Henrik Hololei, the former Director-General for Transport, after an internal disciplinary process tied to allegations he accepted Qatar-funded perks (including flights) while involved in aviation negotiations, fueling claims the negotiating conditions fell short on transparency and governance.
The Commission has defended the agreement as negotiated under Member State supervision. Still, the issue is widening into a broader European debate about fair competition, state support, and regulatory asymmetry with Gulf hubs. Meanwhile, ACI EUROPE (airports) warned that suspending an existing air-services agreement would hurt connectivity and consumer choice, noting Qatar Airways’ Europe capacity in winter 2025/26 remained below 2019 levels.
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