Airline giant Lufthansa Group, alongside Germany’s major hub airports, have warned that the EU’s current climate protection package would be a “disadvantage” for European aviation.
Lufthansa, together with Frankfurt airport operator Fraport and Munich airport, said the European Commission’s Fit for 55 initiative would mean a “unilateral cost increase for European network airlines and hubs”.
Fit for 55, which was launched in July 2021, includes the introduction of a tax on kerosene, tightening the emissions trading system and obliging fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at EU airports.
While Lufthansa and the two airports said they “all support the EU’s ambitious climate protection goals”, this had to be done in a way that ensured a “level playing field for all” by including airlines and airports outside Europe.
Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, said: “It cannot be in the interest of the EU and Europe to put European aviation at a disadvantage with Fit for 55 and thereby weaken its international competitiveness.
“The carbon emissions of aviation would be shifted and not reduced with the measures that are currently planned. As a result, Europe would become more dependent on third countries regarding transport policy. This cannot be the intention of policy makers.”
During a press conference on Monday (4 April), the three aviation groups said they were appealing to the EU Parliament and Council to “improve” the current Fit for 55 proposals, so that they promote “effective climate protection while maintaining the competitiveness of European hubs and airlines”.
Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport, added: “We want to avoid the risk of carbon leakage and of competitive distortions. In other words, achieve effective climate action and maintain connectivity and employment in Europe.”
Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich airport, also called for a “fair and effective climate policy that does not put European airlines in a worse position than their competitors”.
“A mere kerosene tax does not save a single gram of CO2. However, emissions trading and the SAF blending mandate, properly implemented do and are effective instruments for the desired decarbonisation of aviation,” said Lammers.