From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is the principal body representing air transport in Europe's regions. Founded in 1980 with just 5 members, ERA has grown since 1987, under the Director General, Mike Ambrose, to represent over 230 companies and is the only body representing the interests of the regional air transport industry in Europe.

Members include 67 regional airlines, 40 airports and over 115 associate and affiliate members comprising aircraft & engine manufacturers, international & regional airports and avionics suppliers & service providers.

Headquartered at Fairoaks Airport near Chobham, Surrey, United Kingdom, ERA is governed by a Board elected by the membership at the annual General Assembly. The Board comprises eleven ERA airline presidents and seven representatives from the major associate member companies including two airport members. The Board is responsible for overseeing the activities and strategy of the Association.

The ERA Directorate works on behalf of the ERA Board and its members and is organised into departments; Technical Services (Operations, Maintenance, Air Safety & Security), Corporate Communications, Air Transport Policy, Business Development and Infrastructure and Environment, each headed by a Director or General Manager. The Association also has a subsidiary publishing company, ERA Communications Ltd., responsible for the Regional International monthly industry journal and the ERA Yearbook.

ERA member airlines fly an average distance of 531km, which is equivalent to flying between Amsterdam and Berlin or Paris and Bordeaux, using aircraft with an average capacity of 68 seats. 50% of their passengers travel for business and 16% use regional airlines to connect to international services.

This year (2006), ERA holds its annual Regional Airline Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, and its General Assembly (annual convention) in Barcelona, Spain.

All data sourced from the ERA statistics department.

• Association website