Carbon permits are alive and well, at least in Europe
In January 2012, per the European Union, all airlines that fly to Europe must purchase carbon emission permits. Yes, you read that correctly. If American Airlines flies from New York to, let’s say Lisbon, when virtually none of the flight is over Europe, American must pay for a carbon permit to do so.
And, the price isn’t cheap.
The industry will face additional costs of between one and two billion euros next year depending on the price of the carbon permits. [emphasis supplied]
Of course, the industry won’t pay that cost, you, should you travel to Europe, will see your air fare increase to cover those costs. Much like raising taxes in Connecticut hasn’t exactly caused thousands to pick up roots and move to Connecticut, I doubt this plan will boost European tourism.
But, in a rare display of solidarity, the House of Representatives, by a voice vote, and with nine Democrat sponsors, approved a bill that would bar any US airline from paying the, well, I’ll call it what it is, a tax to bail out Europe.
I don’t know what happens here if a US airline pays the tax (assuming the Senate also passes the bill and the President signs it into law), but, in Europe, if it doesn’t pay the tax, it can be fined 100 euros per ton for every ton of carbon dioxide that exceeds certain limits, and could be banned from flying into Europe altogether.
How about we just let Europe recede back into the Middle Ages on its own, and not fly there at all?
Besides, the thought of oxen pulling the cart to market is very picturesque.
6 Comments
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I guess I’ll have to fly a non-US airline to Europe and “avoid” higher fares. Lufthansa will do just fine.
Why would Lufthansa be exempt?
Declare Europe a NO FLY ZONE! Sounds good to me….. only allow Zeppelins & Blimps with peddle power (oops no the people peddling have to exhale) or? magic electrical engines.
Unless SOS has left out something in her post, Lutfhansa is already paying for carbon permits in Europe, hence the cost is already in the price of buying a ticket to Europe.
From what I can determine, the EU ETS for airlines, all of them, apparently, does not go into effect until 2012 (http://www.environmental-finance.com/download.php?files/pdf/4d663c478efb8/Airline%20Carbon%20Costs%20take%20Off.pdf).?
?
Maybe this new phase just makes it worse.?? It doesn’t appear that going Lufthansa will help you.? But they do have an excellent safety record…
I’ve been to Europe enough,close the door. I’ll try South America,it’s a lot cheaper.