Says European Court Decision "Isolates The EU From The Rest Of The World"

Airline industry organization Airlines for America (A4A) says it will continue to oppose the unilateral imposition of a carbon cap-and-trade scheme on U.S. carriers by the European Union. The European Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that the EU could go forward with its plan to tax all air carriers regardless of country of origin in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

"Today's (Wednesday's) court decision further isolates the EU from the rest of the world and will keep in place a unilateral scheme that is counterproductive to concerted global action on aviation and climate change," A4A said in a statement. "The court did not fully address legal issues raised and has established a damaging and questionable precedent by ruling that the European Union can ignore the Chicago Convention and other longstanding international provisions that have enabled governments around the world to work cooperatively to make flying safer and more secure, and to reduce aviation's environmental footprint.

"(The) decision does not mark the end of this case and Airlines for America (A4A) is reviewing options to pursue in the English High Court. At the same time, the U.S. government and dozens of others around the world are increasing pressure on the EU to come back to the table to consider a global sectoral approach. In the meantime, A4A members will comply under protest and will continue to operate safely and efficiently to Europe when the scheme takes effect January 1."

A4A, formerly known as the Air Transport Association, which brought the legal action in 2009 on behalf of all of its members, said in its argument that aviation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should be regulated on a global sectoral basis. A4A also opposes the application of the EU ETS to U.S. airlines, as it imposes an exorbitant tax that takes away from aviation the very funds it needs to continue to invest in aircraft technology, sustainable alternative fuels and infrastructure advances to build on its strong record of fuel efficiency improvements and emissions savings.

FMI: www.airlines.org