Starting January 2012 airlines flying into or out of the European Union will begin dealing CO2 permits under the region’s emissions trading scheme (EU ETS). European governments approved airline inclusion in the ETS in late 2008 but only released the size of the 212.9 million tonnes CO2-equivalent cap in March 2011. According to a European Commission (EC) press release, the sector’s inclusion is expected to have a “minor” impact on ticket prices and will affect approximately 4000 aircraft operators.
However, the impending inclusion of non-member-state airlines in the ETS has spurred Chinese representatives to join a US lawsuit claiming their exemption from the regulations. The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), representing three of the country’s major airlines, began legal proceedings against the EU in late 2009. The China Air Transport Association, representing four airlines, is following up on a March complaint expressing strong resistance to their inclusion in the ETS by joining the ATA initiative. The complaint is due to be heard by the EC but no hearing has been scheduled.
