IATA warns EU to work on safeguarding aviation jobs

By Mary Vancura on 9-Feb-2012

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appealed to the European Union to focus on building a competitive global aviation sector, in order to safeguard the thousands of aviation jobs it sustains across the continent.

The Director-General of the IATA, Tony Tyler made the appeal with specific reference to the EU’s emissions trading scheme and its reception around the world.

“At this critical time for European economies it is important that policies focus on measures that support economic growth and job creation, enhance competitiveness and support sustainable development,” said Tyler, who was addressing a meeting of the European Aviation Club.

The EU’s emissions trading scheme calls for all airlines flying into Europe to pay a carbon tax calculated on distance and emissions. It means that the EU will receive revenue based on the distance the airline has flown over foreign countries, in addition to European countries, and has already been resoundingly criticised by China.

Tyler said that Europe could realistically face “retaliatory action” from non-EU airlines and countries, who may see it as “an attack on their sovereignty”, due to airlines having to choose between the law of their own lands or that of Europe.