Europe’s intra-EU operators hit by latest EU ETS turnaround

Today’s decision by the European Parliament gives the green light to a European agreement to create an intra-European EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) until 2016. The news has not been greeted favourable by many in the industry. Simon McNamara, director general of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), says: “By agreeing to this compromise, rather than suspending the entire scheme, Europe is penalising and damaging European operators flying intra-European flights. The scheme’s coverage is also reduced to only around 20 per cent of EU aviation emissions which destroys any environmental credibility. ERA’s members will be hit hard by what is