Delays Announcing A Major Deal Because Of Emissions Regulations

China is reportedly not happy with the European Union over its proposed requirement for all airlines which fly to EC member nations to reduce carbon emissions ... so much so that it delayed a major announcement that would have been made at the Paris Air Show last week.

Hong Kong airlines was expected to announced that it was purchasing 10 A380 jetliners, but the Wall Street Journal reports that an Airbus spokesman said the announcement was being delayed due to "the political environment."

While the deal has already apparently been completed and does not appear to be in jeopardy, a source told the paper that Chinese airlines are not allowed to "get into deals with Europe" for the time being. A spokesperson for the Chinese government said only that his country is "opposed to the EU's inclusion" of its airlines in the carbon trading scheme.

The Chinese position might also delay an announcement that was expected when German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets for talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao next week in Berlin.

FMI: www.airbus.com