Europe deals a blow to airlines
The European Court of Justice has rejected a challenge by US airlines to their inclusion in the European emissions trading scheme.
In a preliminary ruling, the advocate general of the Court of Justice Juliane Kokott ruled that the requirement for non-EU airlines to join the scheme from January next year did not breach international law.
Although the court will not announce its final decision until next year, it is unlikely to go against the advocate general's opinion.
The case had been brought by the US Air Transport Association and major US airlines, which had argued that as the Chicago Convention outlaws fuel tax on international flights the emissions trading scheme was illegal.
They also claimed that the scheme was in breach of the US-UK air service agreement, but the advocate general rejected both arguments.
The International Air Transport Association, which was also against the emissions trading scheme, was it was disappointed with the ruling but director general and CEO Tony Tyler said: "This it is only part of a complex set of developments concerning the EU ETS."
The airline industry would prefer the International Civil Aviation Organization to set up a global emissions trading scheme but the EU claims that in the absence of a worldwide scheme it has been forced to act unilaterally.
All flights that take off or land within the EU will have to pay for their carbon emissions from next January, the costs of which are likely to be passed on to passengers in the form of higher air fares.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026