General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
European roadmap to cut transport carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 marks out a less ambitious route for aviation
Date added: 21 April, 2011
The White Paper on EU transport policy through to 2050 shows plans for reducing
carbon emissions by 60% across all transport sectors relative to 1990. The EC estimate for aviation of a 1% annual average fuel efficiency improvement
and a 34% overall reduction in aviation CO2 emissions by 2050 against 2005 levels
contrasts less optimistically with the aviation industry’s goals of 1.5% and 50%
respectively. There are estimates of as much as 40% biofuel use by 2050.
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The British Embassy in China has cut its flights by 68%
Date added: 20 April, 2011
The 10:10 campaign reports that efforts are being made by the Foreign & Commonwealth
Office to cut the carbon emissions of its operations. The Embassy in China apparently
last year significantly cut its use of flights, with staff instead making more
use of train travel and videoconferencing. Even the Ambassador opted for an overnight
train to Shanghai. Each section has been asked to replace 1 in 10 flights with
either a train trip, tele/video conferencing or WebEx.
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International shipping: Slow progress of talks tests EU’s deadline
Date added: 20 April, 2011
Pressure on the EU to take unilateral action on tackling greenhouse gases from
international shipping has grown after talks at the IMO last month failed to make
much progress. This increases pressure on the EU to act on its commitment to take
action in Europe if no international deal is reached by the end of 2011. A group
of developing nations – led India, China, Brazil and South Africa – believes no
such global market based measures are necessary,
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Planes cheaper than trains on half of popular domestic routes
Date added: 16 April, 2011
Air fares are cheaper than rail fares on half of Britain's 10 most popular domestic
routes, according to a study carried out by the Telegraph. This is despite rises in APD, increases in departure fees on domestic flights from Heathrow,
and a 20% fall in domestic air services since 2005. The rail market's share of passengers on these rose to 44% in 2010, up from 29%
in 2006. The ATOC predicted that by 2012 a majority of passengers would opt for the
train.
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Letter from Bill Hemmings: Subsidy of airlines is well known
Date added: 15 April, 2011
Bill, representing the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation, writes that airlines do not
pay pay, "in full, for their infrastructure" and that Lufthansa (who should know)
estimated state aid to airlines in Europe since 1991 was worth €20bn. And there’s
been plenty more since then as governments across the continent have rushed to
subsidise new regional airports and new routes, with the European Commission cheering
them on.
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Scottish airlines say “Treasury ‘confirms worst fears’ of air tax campaigners on APD” “
Date added: 12 April, 2011
The industry continues its campaign to try and oppose APD, and claim it is being
over taxed. In reality, the aviation industry is under-taxed, and the government
is very aware of this. Understandably the airlines complain long and loud. Their
A Fair Tax on Flying campaign fell somewhat flat, and now the grouping, Flying
Matters, has had to be disbanded. The extent of it financial contribution of
aviation to the economy is less than is made out.
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“Flying Matters” crashes: members fall out
Date added: 12 April, 2011
Pro-aviation lobby group Flying Matters has been dissolved after key members
quit. It will disband at the end of the month after BA, Virgin Atlantic, BAA and
MAG decided to form their own group. Virgin and EasyJet disagree on APD. Its director
Brian Wilson was asked the basic question ‘why should there be a freedom to fly?’
"All he could do was bluster that people had come to expect their two weeks on
the Costa del wherever. I should have responded that the Victorian middle classes
expected to pay very little for child chimney sweeps to risk their lives cleaning
out their flues".
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State aid: Commission consults stakeholders on state aid rules for the aviation sector
Date added: 10 April, 2011
The European Commission has launched a public consultation, to get stakeholders'
views on the application of the 2005 EU Guidelines on the financing of airports
and start-up aid to airlines from regional airports. The Commission also seeks
views on the 1994 EU Aviation Guidelines that also contain rules for the assessment
of social and restructuring aid for airlines. Submissions can be made until 6
June 2011.
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Cockpit fatigue – long-haul pilots fell asleep at controls
Date added: 7 April, 2011
Two pilots fell asleep on a flight it has emerged, as a study revealed that 1
in 5 have has complained of fatigue at least weekly. The incident took place on a long haul flight three months ago, although neither
the airline nor the route has been disclosed. According to the pilots union, BALPA, there is a growing problem of fatigue among
flight crew and this will worsen under EU proposals to increase flying hours from 900 hours every
12 months to 1,000.
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Airlines “reject the deal of the century” in low charges through the EU ETS
Date added: 7 April, 2011
Bill Hemmings, Programme Manager at T&E, representing the International Coalition
for Sustainable Aviation, writes in the FT - in response to warnings by the American
airline United, and others in the USA, to take legal action in the EU against
the ETS. Bill says level of charge from the ETS is very low indeed, by comparison
with the taxes that aviation would have to pay, if it was charged VAT and fuel
taxes. Aviation will get a pretty good deal under ETS.
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