Commission hails ETS compliance but airlines want plan B

Only 10 airlines – eight from China and two from India – failed to comply with the data requirements from 2011.

“From our end, the very good news is that only Chinese and Indian airlines, representing 1% of the companies flying to and from the EU, have not complied,” said Isaac Valero-Ladron, spokesman for climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

Compliance from such a large majority of airlines worldwide is a positive sign for the EU, particularly since the scheme has been widely criticised internationally by politicians and the aviation industry.

However, compliance with this initial stage of the scheme cannot be taken as an indication that opposition has waned.

Valero-Ladron said the March 31 reporting obligation did not require emission allowances to be submitted, nor does it generate any payment...