Airbus is ratcheting up pressure on European Union policymakers to resolve rising international tensions over the controversial emissions trading scheme after claims that US$12 billion worth of contracts have been withheld by Beijing.
Airbus and eight European airlines yesterday called on officials from countries including Britain and Spain to settle the issue that could cost the aircraft maker market share to rival Boeing.
Airbus' opposition is a huge setback to the 27-nation bloc as the emissions trading scheme is not only opposed by more than 40 nations outside Europe but also increasingly by airlines and aircraft makers on its own soil.
Charges on carbon emissions for entire flights into or from Europe have drawn strong criticism from nations including China, India, the United States and Brazil. They say the scheme goes beyond lawful boundaries by charging for emissions that occur outside Europe.
Airlines will start paying next year for the emissions they make this year.
In joint letters to the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Spain, Airbus and a growing number of European airlines urged the governments to stop escalating the trade conflict with China and other countries opposed to the emissions trading scheme.
