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Indian carriers apprehend that if European Union persists with “illogical demand” of carbon tax, then their flights to Europe could be affected.
On the other hand, the Government has made it clear that no Indian carrier has submitted emission details to European Union.
At present, Air India and Jet fly to Europe while Kingfisher flies to London but has now withdrawn its service.
India joins China in asking its airlines to boycott the European Union's carbon scheme.
“Though the European Union has directed Indian carriers to submit emission details of their aircraft by March 31, 2012, no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the Government,” Mr Ajit Singh, the Civil Aviation Minister, replied in Rajya Sabha. Hence, the imposition of carbon tax does not arise, he added.
He also explained that pursuant to the adoption of the Moscow Declaration of February 22, 2012 by over 30 countries on the European Union-Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), a basket of measures are available to the Government as counter measures.
He said, “Depending upon EU's consideration of the resolution of Moscow Declaration, appropriate retaliatory measures would be undertaken by all signatories to the Declaration and also other nations wishing to join.”
Since January, all airlines using EU airports became liable to pay for carbon emissions, but carriers will not be handed a bill until next year.
Initially, they will also be given free allowances to cover the bulk of the cost. The March 31 deadline is one of a series of deadlines for airlines to comply with the various EU requirements.
Meanwhile airlines sources said that flights to Europe were on schedule. “It is not in our domain to do this or do that, we will simply do what ever the Government asks us to do,” a senior airline official said.
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