Major European carriers Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and SAS are calling for the termination of a significant aviation agreement with Qatar following the dismissal of a top EU official over corruption allegations. The airlines argue that the deal, which was negotiated during the tenure of the now-sacked civil servant, should be scrapped due to ethical concerns.

The controversy centers on allegations of bribery and misconduct involving EU decision-makers, which have cast doubt on the integrity of recent aviation agreements. European airlines have long been skeptical of deals that they believe favor Gulf carriers, and this development has intensified their opposition. The dismissed official was reportedly instrumental in advancing the Qatar agreement, which included expanded flight rights and market access.

This development could have significant implications for EU-Qatar aviation relations and potentially disrupt existing flight schedules and routes. The airlines are leveraging the corruption scandal to push for a comprehensive review of all recent bilateral agreements, arguing that deals made under questionable circumstances should not stand. The outcome of this dispute could reshape transatlantic aviation partnerships and set precedents for how the EU handles similar agreements in the future.