STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2006 – The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization of the leading U.S. airlines, today issued the following statement in response to the decision by the European Commission (EC) to include aviation in its emissions trading scheme:
“ATA is disappointed that the European Commission remains intent on unilaterally covering the flights of non-European Union carriers in its emissions trading scheme. This misguided decision clearly violates international laws and bilateral air service agreements, and deferring its implementation by one year does not change that outcome.
“The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is working on appropriate multi-lateral solutions to address greenhouse gas emissions of international aviation, including emissions trading guidance. The EU is alone in its efforts to bypass that ongoing work. We urge the EU to join with the rest of the world in working through ICAO to find constructive solutions to this issue.”
ATA airline members transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
###