Sun, Nov 02, 2008
ATA Says Airlines Have Solutions Of Their Own
The Air Transport Association, industry trade organization for a
number of US airlines, expressed harsh opposition this week to the
European Parliament's October 24 final approval of legislation
covering the world's airlines under the European Emissions Trading
Scheme (ETS).
In a speech delivered before the European Aviation Club in
Brussels, ATA President and CEO James C. May drew attention to a
proliferation of new aviation taxes and charges within the European
Union (EU), pointing out how these taxes and fees are
counterproductive to the industry's ongoing environmental progress.
May said that, "Masquerading under the banner of supposedly
'protecting' the environment, these measures threaten to stifle the
growth of the industry, compromise our environmental progress and,
ultimately, raise prices for consumers, leaving them to take
alternative, less safe, higher emitting modes of
transportation."
May also emphasized that the EU legislation adding aviation to
the ETS -- opposed by the United States and many other countries --
violates international law and reverses the progress being made
with ongoing fuel-efficiency and environmental innovations. It is
estimated that this European cap-and-trade system would impose an
annual cost to airlines (over and above the cost of jet fuel) of
several billion dollars in 2012, tripling in 2020.
May offered three solutions being pursued vigorously by ATA
member airlines. He emphasized the vital connection between energy
and environmental issues and the importance of addressing these
issues together.
"First, governments must recognize that policies that siphon
money out of aviation are counterproductive; airlines should not be
prevented from reinvesting in ever-improving technologies that
reduce emissions. Second, governments and politicians have
dilly-dallied for too long in considering new air traffic
management systems; they should get on with the task of building
them. And third, we must all recognize the need for developing
alternative fuels, a task that demands the development of
comprehensive policies and genuine public, private and academic
partnerships."
May concluded his remarks by urging Europe and the world away
from unilateral action on these important issues, saying that
"...great challenges are best addressed collectively."
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