Aviation
Brussels Airlines could be renationalised
Belgian flag-carrier Brussels Airlines could be brought into state-ownership in order to save it from bankruptcy, according to TV channel LN24, as coronavirus wreaks havoc on the aviation industry.
Europe’s domestic air travel emissions increase again
Greenhouse gas output from plane journeys within the EU rose again in 2019, according to new data from the European Commission, but that growth is likely to stop for a while, with 2020 set to be a lean year for airlines because of coronavirus.
Grounded virus flights could skew weather forecasts
Europe’s ability to predict the weather will suffer because of the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on aviation, a leading research institute warned this week, explaining that fleets of grounded aircraft mean forecasters have less meteorological data to work wit
MEPs agree to ground coronavirus ‘ghost flights’
European Parliament lawmakers agreed on Thursday evening (26 March) to put problematic aviation rules on ice until October, as airlines struggle to cope with the impact of the coronavirus on their business.
How to save airlines the right way
As the virus crisis continues to unfold, more and more airlines are grounding flights - some entirely. But carriers must take their responsibilities to society more seriously if they are to be given any public cash, insists William Todts.
Coronavirus redraws battle lines on airline emissions
European airlines crippled by the coronavirus have demanded lasting relief from environmental taxes - in a move that pits their immediate survival against longer-term emissions goals.
EU Council joins fight to bust coronavirus ‘ghost flights’
The European Council agreed on Friday (20 March) to waive EU 'use it or lose it' rules that obligate airlines to fulfil at least 80% of their airport take-off and landing slots in a calendar year. The member states want the rules put on ice longer than the Commission suggested.
Greece mulls banning all foreign flights from Sunday
The Greek government is seriously considering temporarily banning all foreign flights as of 22 March to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Greek media reported on Thursday (19 March).
Amid COVID-19 recession concerns, US aircraft tariffs come into effect
The Trump administration enacted its planned duty rate increase for aircraft imported from the EU on Wednesday (18 March), amid the continuing spread of COVID-19 and fears of a subsequent recession. These measures will increase the rate from 10 to 15%, particularly impacting Airbus.
UN aviation body dumps dodgy carbon credits
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided on Friday (13 March) to restrict how airlines, already struggling with the impact of coronavirus, can offset their emissions under a new climate change-busting mechanism.
Italy to bail out Alitalia, as COVID-19 scares off buyers
The Italian government is close to taking full control of Alitalia, as the coronavirus outbreak in Europe forces Rome to abandon plans to find a buyer for the ailing national carrier, Il Messaggero said on Sunday (15 March).
Coronavirus: EU to suspend ‘ghost flights’ rule for 4 months
The European Commission revealed on Friday (13 March) its plan to suspend for four months rules that have forced airlines to keep empty ‘ghost flights’ in the air, as a result of coronavirus cancellations. But carriers want their obligations put on ice until the end of October.
Embattled airlines left reeling by Trump travel ban
Europe’s airlines - already reeling from the coronavirus outbreak - are expected to be hard hit by US President Donald Trump’s 11 March ban on flights from the Schengen area, which has already been criticised by EU heads as unilateral and disproportionate.
Coronavirus: EU will suspend ‘ghost flight’ rules
The European Commission agreed on Tuesday (10 March) to suspend rules that oblige airlines to fly empty ‘ghost flights’, as the EU tries to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy.
UK set to eject out of EU aviation regulator
The United Kingdom will leave the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) at the end of 2020, according to Britain’s transport minister. Shifting responsibility back to its own regulator could cost the UK £400m over the course of a decade though.
Pressure builds on EU to dump aviation’s licence to pollute
EU environment ministers suggested on Thursday (5 March) that airlines should no longer be issued free pollution permits by the bloc’s carbon market, as a review of the emissions trading system fast approaches.
UK airline Flybe collapses as virus hits flights worldwide
One of Britain's biggest airlines, Flybe, collapsed Thursday (5 March) with all its flights grounded, the company said, as the coronavirus epidemic takes a heavy toll on airlines around the world.
Delay aviation tax because of coronavirus, says airline boss
Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said on Tuesday (3 March) that planned aviation taxes in France and the Netherlands should be postponed because of the economic impact caused by coronavirus.
EU inquest into Italy’s €400m Alitalia loan takes off
The European Commission announced on Friday (28 February) that its competition watchdog will probe the Italian government's December decision to loan national airline Alitalia €400 million. Brussels wants to find out if the pay-out was illegal state aid.
Air France to jettison 1,500 jobs by 2022: sources
Air France is to cut 1,500 jobs, mostly ground staff, by late 2022, union sources told AFP on Thursday (27 February), although the company insisted talks with labour representatives have not yet concluded.
Heathrow airport expansion is unlawful, says UK court
A British appeals court said on Thursday (27 February) that a proposed expansion of Heathrow airport is illegal, because it is not in keeping with the government’s own climate policies fixed under the Paris Agreement.
Europe’s airports risk watery grave, as ‘cost of inaction’ debate heats up
More than 20 of Europe’s airports could be underwater by the end of the century if current climate trends continue. The prospect of economic and even security chaos is starting to drive home the message that the cost of doing nothing will outweigh the price of climate action.
EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.