Will Argue Emissions Trading Plan Violates International Law

The Air Transport Association (ATA), along with United/Continental holding, have filed a lawsuit in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg saying that forcing non-member nation airlines to participate in the European Union's carbon emissions trading system violates international law.

The EU obviously has a different opinion on the matter, arguing that its new measure is fully consistent with international law, and that the court will not overturn the European governments and Parliament.

The Associated Press reports that the EU does not think that passing the few Euros per passenger along to customers will affect the bottom lines of non-European flagged airlines. The U.S., China, Russia, and others all argue that the EU cannot impose its rules on countries outside its borders.

While the complaint was originally filed in Britain, the case was moved to the European Court of Justice, which is expected to rule before the first of next year when the provisions are scheduled to be enforced.

A spokesman for the EU's Climate Action Commission said that the Union's position is that when an airliner of any nation lands or takes off in Europe, it should be governed by European laws.

Non-European flagged carriers can avoid participation in the program if their countries put "equivalent measures" in place to reduce carbon and other emissions.

FMI: http://europa.eu/about-eu/institutions-bodies/court-justice/index_en.htm