The European Union will not loosen sustainability targets for the aviation industry despite the Ukraine conflict and a surge in fuel prices, the bloc's top transport official said on Friday.
"Although there are new challenges, the old challenges do not go away, and making aviation sustainable is a challenge," EU Commission Director General for Mobility and Transport Henrik Hololei said.
He added that it was not the moment to "make concessions on sustainability," speaking at a Eurocontrol webinar.Hololei was responding to a plea from the chief executive of Polish carrier LOT, Rafal Milczarski, who urged the EU to consider the massive increase in kerosene prices, the negative impact of the war on passengers' willingness to travel and the side effects of sanctions on Russia.
The industry's participation in carbon emissions trading, which airlines use to pay for part of their greenhouse gas emissions, must be reconsidered or at least temporarily suspended, Milczarski said, speaking at the Eurocontrol event. "EU 'Fitfor55' needs to be fundamentally reviewed... it is extremely idealistic and I aim afraid it is going to kill a number of airlines," the LOT CEO said.
Speaking about LOT's its own business, Milczarski said that with Russia's invasion of Ukraine the Polish carrier had been forced to cancel many flights and experienced a drop in bookings.The EU will also stick to increasing from 50% to 64% in April the proportion of landing and takeoff slots that airlines need to use to maintain them.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Biden holds emergency NATO talks in Europe as Ukraine war hits one monthBiden is set to announce new sanctions and discuss “potential contingencies” if Russia turns to chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.
Read more »
Indonesia, Malaysia commit to biodiesel mandates despite higher pricesTop palm oil producers Indonesia and Malaysia remain committed to their mandatory biodiesel programmes despite higher prices of the feedstock to reach green energy goals, senior officials said on Thursday.
Read more »
China has not given Russia military aid despite request: U.S. officialNational security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters the U.S. will continue to monitor any response from China.
Read more »
Icahn director nominee says McDonald's faces sustainability risksOne of Carl Icahn's director nominees at McDonald's said she would push the burger giant to tackle several sustainability issues.
Read more »