THE proposed European union carbon tax on airlines set to be implemented in 2012 will be the biggest threat to survival of African airlines, a senior aviation industry official has warned.
Consequently, the International Air Transport Association intends to intensify lobbying for the abandonment of the plan of carbon tax on airlines, regional vice president for Africa Mike Higgins said yesterday. He added that the EU carbon trading scheme will become the biggest threat to the growth and profitability of African airlines if it is enforced. "It will negatively affect anyone doing long haul flights yet we are the only industry which is self regulating on carbon emissions," noted Higgins.
The scheme is aimed at combating climate change by reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions. Within the scheme there is a limit to the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted by a firm. If a company exceeds the permitted limit it will be required to pay a predetermined amount for every tonne of gas they emit above the set limit.
The trading scheme is already operational for factories and power plants named under the system excluding airlines which will be roped into the system in 2012. "This particular tax, none of it will go into green projects it just goes back to the European exchequer," remarked Higgins.
He revealed that 30 governments from various continents are set to meet within the week to deliberate on the matter and form a unified view to combat the EU proposals. Higgins was speaking during the awarding of IATA certification to Kenyan aviation firm Aircraft Leasing Service yesterday. ALS chairman Aslam Khan said the IATA membership will help the airline grow its operations through partnership with major regional airlines.
