Air Transport Association and US carriers to launch EU ETS challenge

Air Transport Association of America, United Continental and American Airlines announced they will present their case against the inclusion of US airlines in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme at the European Court of Justice this week (International Herald Tribune, 04-Jul-2011). Their case will specifically revolve around how the system will be applied by the UK. It is believed the ATA and airlines will argue that the EU ETS is in conflict with the Chicago Convention and Kyoto Protocol. US officials have already demanded that US airlines be granted an exemption from the system. Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have also threatened to file suit against the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS.