Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
European Commission must investigate state aid, says ELFAA
The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) has called on the European Commission to investigate what it sees as state aid cases concerning SAS, Malev, Spanair, and CSA.
“Although exposed to many of the same cost pressures as their legacy competitors, low-fares airlines have sought no assistance from states,” emphasised ELFAA secretary-general, John Hanlon. “This is why we are looking to the Commission to ensure a level playing field by taking prompt and effective action to eliminate the serious distortions of competition, which result from state aid to ailing carriers.”
ELFAA’s plea is its second such call to the European Commission on this issue in five months. The Association says it remains unclear whether any of the requested investigations have yet been launched
Since sending the earlier ELFAA letter of complaint, further state aid has been extended to SAS, Spanair and Malev. “Unsurprisingly,” says ELFAA, “given the unchecked actions of other states, the Czech Republic has made available a loan of €94 million to CSA”.
“ELFAA has calculated that a combined total of €1.16 billion is being wasted by these governments in propping up these broken business models,” added Hanlon. “This is a scandalous waste of public money at a time when Europe's economies can ill afford such largesse.
“ELFAA hopes that these cases will be the subject of swift and thorough investigations and that such aid will be repaid if it is found to be in contravention of EU state aid rules,” Hanlon concluded.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
