Phil Boyer, president of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), has reminded European air traffic control officials that airliners are not the only aircraft in the sky.

In a speech to the second annual IAOPA-Eurocontrol Aviation Day in Brussels, Boyer pointed out that Eurocontrol, provider of ATC services for 30 European countries, must not forget general aviation (GA) and aerial work (AW) aircraft.

Boyer’s comments follow Eurocontrol’s plans for improving services for its member countries which have so far largely concentrated on the needs of airlines.

Boyer said that there are four times as many general aviation and aerial work aircraft in Europe as airliners.

He went on to decry the high taxes and other costs that have already marginalised many GA and AW operators, and asked for consideration of their needs when avionics and other equipment requirements are imposed.