Ryanair has called for the EU’s emissions trading scheme to be scrapped completely because it will unfairly penalise European airlines.
The EU yesterday (November 12) decided that it would postpone the introduction of ETS for all flights that start or end at non-EU airports for one year.
But all flights between airports within the 27 EU member countries will still be included in ETS as planned, with airlines having to submit permits for their 2012 carbon emissions from April 2013.
Ryanair said that ETS “increases the costs of European aviation, making it anti-competitive, while doing nothing to address EU carbon emissions”.
“Ryanair does not believe that European aviation should be included in the ETS scheme since it accounts for less than 2 per cent of the EU’s CO2 emissions,” said airline spokesman Stephen McNamara.
“This continuation of this eco-loony tax will damage traffic, tourism, European competiveness and jobs at a time when no other economic block is including aviation in their ETS schemes.”
The EU has “stopped the clock” on introducing ETS for flights departing for and arriving from non-EU destinations for a year to allow time for ICAO to try to find a global system for charging airlines for their carbon emissions. But the EU said it would “automatically” reintroduce ETS for all airlines if a solution is not found by ICAO at its meeting in autumn 2013.
The British Air Transport Association, which represents UK-based airlines, also expressed concerns about the EU’s decision to suspend part of its ETS plans.
Chief executive Simon Buck said: “Any part suspension of the EU ETS must not result in different rules applying to different airlines dependent on the routes they operate. There is a potential for competitive distortion between airlines with this action which could be damaging.
“UK airlines have taken great strides towards reducing their emissions over the past few decades and continue to do so through initiatives such as sustainable aviation.”
The European Regions Airline Association and IACA (International Air Carrier Association) called for the entire ETS plan to be suspended for the year including flights within the EU.
Mike Ambrose, director general of ERA, and IACA director general Sylviane Lust added in a joint statement: “By introducing a two-tier system, the commission has created a compromise that unfairly penalises many European carriers operating intra-EU flights and their passengers.
“ERA and IACA call on the EU member states and the parliament to extend the moratorium to all flights.”
IATA was more positive about the EU’s decision to suspend part of ETS for one year, calling it a “significant step in the right direction”.
Tony Tyler, IATA’s CEO, added: “The flexibility shown by the European Commission demonstrates that the ICAO process is working, and we look forward to seeing all parties working together to present positive proposals to the ICAO Assembly in September