EU low-cost airlines reject planned emissions trading rules

Low-cost airlines on Tuesday called on the European Union to reject a plan that would force air carriers to trade pollution allowances because they say it risks turning potential environmental benefits into punitive fees for air carriers and passengers.

The European Low Fares Airline Association said high soaring oil prices have already increased the cost of flying and the trading system would simply become another punitive tax as the aviation industry cannot replace oil with more environmentally-friendly fuels.
Under the EU proposal, debated by the member states’ governments and the European Parliament, airlines would trade pollution permits, forcing them to buy more credits over a certain limit of CO2 emission or reduce the greenhouse gases of each aircraft if they want to fly more.

International Herald Tribune