Plan for EU airline fuel tax sparks furious debate

A proposal by the German government to impose a tax on airline fuel in order to boost development funding has prompted a fierce debate pitting airlines against environmentalists.

The Secretary-General of the Association of European Airlines (AEA), Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus reacted angrily to the plan, saying, “of course we applaud humanitarian initiatives, but why target the airlines? Our industry is going through a fundamental crisis”.

Mr Schulte-Strathaus, whose association represents airlines such as British Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic and SN Brussels, added, “If the ministers were sincere about helping developing countries, they would be asking themselves how they could encourage and not discourage, travel and tourism into these regions”.

At least five times more polluting

But the Green party in the European Parliament said it “strongly supported” the proposal and would seek to use its influence in member states to push it through.

Paul Beeckmans, transport adviser for the Green group, said this tax was necessary “for several reasons”.