European Airlines Oppose Expansion of EU Emissions Trading System

Europe's largest airlines have urged the EU to avoid expanding its Emissions Trading System (ETS) to include international flights, fearing increased ticket costs. They argue the move could harm European passengers and businesses, and undermine international decarbonization efforts led by the UN's CORSIA scheme.

Europe’s major airlines have expressed opposition to the European Union’s proposal to extend the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to include international flights, cautioning that this could lead to higher costs for passengers. This warning was conveyed in a letter seen by Reuters.

Currently, the ETS applies only to intra-European flights, requiring airlines to buy permits to cover greenhouse gas emissions and thereby encouraging reductions. However, the European Commission is considering expanding the scheme to flights leaving the EU, as part of an upcoming review.

Airline leaders argue that including additional flights under the EU's carbon pricing would financially penalize European travelers and businesses. The letter further suggests that such a move might undermine cooperation with the United Nation’s CORSIA scheme, which is designed to address emissions growth without mandating absolute cuts.