On the 14 March 2013, the DG MOVE of the European Commission published a proposal for reviewing regulations 261/2004 and 2027/97 which, for the first time, comprises provisions frameworking the transport of musical instruments on planes as hand luggage (article 6e, p.28).
This is a considerable step forward, made possible by constructive dialogue between FIM – backed by Pearle* (the association representing European employers in the performing arts field) – and the DG MOVE. This campaign was also supported by European MP Georges Bach. Good mobilisation of sector professionals (43,332 signatures to FIM’s online petition) and the support of artists Katie Melua (UK) and Janne Schaffer (Sweden) played an essential role in raising the Commission’s awareness. It is now up to the European Parliament to decide on whether to adopt the text.
When they board or check in, musicians are faced with an unpredictable attitude on the part of airline companies which can arbitrarily be against musicians keeping their instruments in the cabin, even when an additional seat has been purchased to this effect. As pointed out by Mr. Frank Laurent and Miss Noura Rouissi (DG MOVE) during FIM’s 8th meeting of the European group (Brussels, 15-16 March 2013), the text drafted by the European Commission makes provision for security reasons being the sole grounds for companies to refuse.
FIM will be pursuing its campaign and lobbying members of the European Parliament, with a view to seeing that the proposed text is adopted in optimum conditions for performers. This is a vital issue for all professional musicians travelling on European airlines or from European airports.