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From the beginning of this year, all airlines
are required to hold emission rights in the form of CO2
certificates for flights to and from Europe.
In 2012, 82% of the necessary certificates will
be awarded to airlines free of charge, though airlines will have to
purchase another 15% of the certificates, with 3% being reserved
for new airlines.
As these allocations are based on average
emissions for the years 2004 to 2006, the Lufthansa Group has said
it will
have to buy at least 35% of the certificates it needs to represent
its growth in recent years. Judging by the average trend in
certificate prices, Lufthansa expects to incur additional
expenses of EUR 130m in 2012.
As competition is tough – especially
from non-EU companies, whose operations are only subject to
limited emissions trading rules – Lufthansa says it will have to pass on
the costs via higher ticket prices, as recommended by the EU.
Lufthansa will therefore include the cost of purchasing the
certificates in its existing fuel surcharge as of the beginning of
2012. However, the airline has no immediate plans to increase this
surcharge.
Carsten Spohr, Member of the Executive Board of
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said, “Climate change is a global
challenge. This means we also need a global solution. The
incorporation of airlines in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme means
that European operators are now facing additional costs which will
make flying within and via Europe more expensive for passengers.
It will also distort competition and impact on the sustainability
of the aviation industry if it proves impossible to implement with
the competitive neutrality promised by policy makers. However,
given the huge resistance at international level, it is unclear
just how the situation will develop.”
Lufthansa last raised its fuel surcharge for
European and long-haul flights on 15 December 2011 by three to ten
euros. In the future, the surcharge will reflect both the price of
oil and the cost of acquiring emission rights.
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