China Airline Transport Association to take legal action against the EU ETS

China Airline Transport Association stated it has already contacted IATA regarding the legality of the EU Emissions Trading System with four Chinese airlines including Air China, Hainan Airline and China Eastern joining the association in taking legal procedures against the EU (CNTV, 17-Apr-2011). "According to their rules, non-European airlines begin to count carbon emissions from the point of departure. That's unfair. The EU put carbon emission quotas in the air market through force of law. This means we have no choice but to buy what they are selling. It's against free market principles," the association said.