Emissions scheme due for rough landing

BEIJING - Air transport associations and 21 airlines from home and abroad expressed strong opposition at a seminar on Monday against an EU plan to force countries into its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Starting Jan 1, all airlines flying to Europe will be required by the EU to be included in the ETS, a system that compels polluters to buy permits for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit above a certain cap. Those who do not join the system will face fines and flight suspensions.

Airlines said that they are required to buy permits for emissions released over the whole flight, only a small percentage of which may actually be in EU airspace.