On 27 February 2026, a delegation from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) travelled to the European Air Transport Command (EATC) at Eindhoven Air Base. The programme focused on the practical delivery of multinational military air mobility, with particular attention to Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) as a strategic enabler.
The delegation was led by Mr Filip Cornelis, Director Aviation at DG MOVE, with Mr Michael Sylla representing EDA. They were received by Major-General Franck Mollard, Commander EATC, for an official welcome and introductory discussions, followed by a structured presentation on EATC’s activities and current priorities.
The exchanges concentrated on the operational environment in which EATC conducts its missions. A central topic was the complexity surrounding diplomatic clearances and the constraints encountered when organising and assigning flights across multiple jurisdictions. These challenges are particularly evident within the regulatory contexts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where differing procedures and requirements can affect timelines and flexibility. The discussion highlighted the need for continued alignment between regulatory frameworks and operational military necessities.
DG MOVE outlined progress on the Military Mobility Package, including initiatives such as infrastructure developed with dual-use by design principles and the concept of a solidarity pool. These measures aim to ensure that transport networks across Europe are conceived from the outset to accommodate both civilian and defence requirements, while enabling Member States to support one another more effectively. The dialogue underscored the close connection between EU transport policy and the practical execution of military air operations.
A key moment of the programme was a live AAR demonstration aboard a Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) A330 MRTT aircraft. During the sortie, Belgian F-16 fighter jets from the 2e Wing Tactique at Florennes Air Base were refuelled in flight, offering the delegation direct exposure to the coordination, accuracy, and cross-border cooperation required for such missions.
The event also drew media attention and was reported by the Dutch national broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS).
The visit provided a concrete illustration of how European-level policy initiatives and multinational military structures intersect in practice, demonstrating the essential contribution of coordinated air mobility and AAR capabilities to Europe’s readiness and resilience.