EU to include airlines in carbon-trading programme

Airlines that fly within the EU will have to trade carbon emissions beginning in 2011, the European Commission said today, urging the sector to cut down on releasing the greenhouse gas that causes climate change.

This could see a typical return flight within Europe rise by between €1.80 and €9 with higher price hikes for long-haul trips, but the Commission claimed these would be “significantly lower” than recent oil price increases passed on to air travellers.