THE China Air Transport Association (CATA) objects to the European Union's plan to apply its carbon Emissions Trading System (ETS) to Chinese aircraft landing and taking off from European airports, China Daily reported.

    The US airline industry is also objecting to the rule, said the report.
 

    Starting in 2012, all aircraft flying in and out of Europe will be subject to a carbon emissions cap, and those that exceed the cap must purchase carbon emissions reduction credits.

    The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has declared that Chinese airlines' fuel efficiency has improved by an average of three per cent year on year over the last decade.

    CATA said the EU rule would nevertheless cost Chinese airlines billions of yuan. The organisation has said the unilateral action is contrary to international convention, and is threatening retaliatory measures against flights by European airlines in and out of Chinese airports.

 (Source:http://www.schednet.com)