A planned EU treaty will allow cargo flights from the EU to land in the United Kingdom for a few reasons, notably refuelling, commercial causes, and technical stops. In addition, the treaty would allow the cargo flights to fly over British airspace. The treaty would grant British planes the same rights over European Union airspace.
However, Cargolux has outlined a crucial authorisation which is absent in the European Commission's plans. This particular issue concerns the fifth freedom of the air, which "allows an airline to carry revenue traffic between foreign countries as a part of services connecting the airline's own country." As an example, Cargolux cited flying cargo from China to Scotland, offloading the cargo, and flying onwards.
The head of the Democratic Party in the Chamber of Deputies, Eugène Berger, also believes this is a key issue going ahead. He believes the Commission must clarify the issue, as this also concerns economic interests.
CSV MP Laurent Mosar is also very concerned with Cargolux's future activities, claiming it is important that the freight airline continues to have the right to land in the United Kingdom for stopovers. He affirmed that the CSV would pay close attention that the Luxembourgish government consider all possibilities to resolve the issue.
In December, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel had already submitted a letter to the European Commission outlining these concerns.
In Jean-Claude Juncker's response, he did not consider adding the fifth freedom to the accord. It appears to be part of a larger political power struggle between Brussels and London that remains to be clarified.
