The Civil Aviation Strategy under the von der Leyen Commission: A Framing Perspective

Aviation remains one of the strategic sectors for the EU, generating 9,8 million jobs, ensuring vital connectivity, driving growth, supporting business and tourism, enhancing social cohesion, and cultural exchange. However, market changes, the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing problem of climate change affect the perception as well as condition of the sector in a visible manner. In view of the foregoing, the article is directed towards the analysis of the main strands of discussion about civil aviation under the von der Leyen Commission and its links to broader political priorities envisioned for the European Union. Drawing on the concept of framing and frame dimensions, it reflects on the contents of two recent strategic documents, the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. The documents are analyzed using MAXQDA software. The article aims to examine what lies behind the general objective to make the system sustainable, smart and resilient, what place in the agenda occupies environmental sustainability, and how it relates to the overall growth prospects for air transportation. The findings indicate that the strategy is emphasizing the need for progress in climate policy for aviation, in line with the overall agenda pursued by the von der Leyen Commission. The global connectivity expansion, nevertheless, is to remain undisturbed whereas the primary measure should be technological developments. We conclude that the EC perceives the problem as excessive emission, not mobility per se, and tries to balance environmental sustainability with the need to support sector growth using an efficiency strategy coupled with elements of alteration. The article ends by discussing the implications of this approach.