Creating a single European air traffic control system could lead to airline’s cutting fuel consumption by up to 12%, Lufthansa claims.

The German carrier believes that optimising air traffic control in Europe would be the “biggest climate protection project” for aviation in the region.

The fragmented control of Europe’s airspace results in 75% higher costs compared with US air traffic control, while performance is 45% lower.

“Improved, more effective use of the airspace would open up huge savings potential,” the airline said as part of sustainability report.

“Experts believe that this measure alone could reduce fuel consumption by up to 12%. The fragmentation of air traffic control in the skies over Europe leads to billions of euros in additional costs and about 10 million tons of additional CO2 emissions each year.”  

But the airline joined others in criticising the planned EU emissions trading scheme

The plan to introduce a Single European Sky by 2020 but implementing the emissions trading scheme in 2012 "is not reasonable", the airline argues.

"The start of emissions trading ads billions of euros to the industry’s cost base at a single stroke,” Lufthansa said.

"In fact, an ETS implementation without a simultaneous SES start will undermine the airlines’ abilities to invest into new eco-efficient aircraft.

"Instead of replacing existing fleets with latest aircraft types and next-generation engine technologies, carriers have to purchase emissions certificates.

"Emissions trading can create appropriate incentives to cut carbon emissions.

"However, if the aviation industry is included in the trading of emissions allowances only in individual regions, the benefits to the climate will be marginal.

"Aviation is a global business and European airlines face competitors from around the world. Moreover, such a scheme threatens to create severe market distortions."

Lufthansa said it was working within international bodies to promote a global emissions trading scheme for air transport.

The airline has set 15 “ambitious” environmental objectives for sustainable development.

Karsten Benz, vice president sales and services Europe, said: “Imperative as it is to achieve business success, we at Lufthansa are always aware of our special responsibility for the environment.

“Environmental care is and will remain in the future one of Lufthansa’s uppermost corporate objectives.”

by Phil Davies