China calls for talks on EU airline tax

05/01 13:03 CET

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China has said it is deeply concerned and opposed to the European Union’s airline tax, and has called for talks to resolve the issue. The statement comes a day after China’s main airlines refused to pay it.

Since January 1, 2012, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), forces all airlines using EU airports to pay a fine of 100 euros for each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted for which they have not surrendered carbon allowances.

Airlines which do not comply could be fined or even banned from flying into the region. The scheme has also been heavily criticised by a number of other countries including India, the US and Canada.

In December the United States failed in its bid to have the airline tax blocked by the European Court of Justice, on the grounds that the charges violate climate change and aviation pacts.

More about: Airlines, China, Ecology, EU-China, Taxes

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