US trade body ends EU aviation battle

A group of US airlines have abandoned their legal challenge to the EU’s aviation pollution charge.

The Airlines for America trade association, whose members include American Airlines and other leading carriers, have conceded defeat after a two-year fight.

Although they had already lost in a ruling by the European Court of Justice that upheld the EU directive as consistent with international law, the airlines had not dropped their London High Court case.

The cap-and-trade scheme, which still faces resistance from other airlines, especially in China, came into force in January, although fees are not payable until next March. Airlines using European airspace will then be given ‘carbon quotas’, and those exceeding their quota will be forced to pay for extra permits.

Several non-EU countries have filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, but China and the US have adopted a much more aggressive stance that includes legal action and economic retaliation.

The US airlines have not yet explained their decision or announced their next move – they have not accepted the EU ruling, for example, and there are rumours they may try to fight it on another front.

A joint statement by WWF-UK, the Aviation Environment Federation and other NGOs said: “Rather than continue to fight the EU, the airlines should use the opportunity to support a global deal for aviation, especially given the unexpected momentum created by ICAO secretary-general Raymond Benjamin’s proposal to agree, by the end of the year, on global measures to reduce aviation emissions.”