Airline bailouts set to double to €26bn as countries fail to impose binding green conditions

(Transport and Environment, 29 Apr 2020) Airline polluters are now seeking more than €26 billion in taxpayers’ money - double the amount of just a week ago - according to the European airline bailout tracker compiled by Transport & Environment, Carbon Market Watch and Greenpeace. Governments have agreed €11.5 billion in financial aid and a further €14.6 billion is under discussion. None come with binding environmental conditions for airlines to clean up their act.

Air France-KLM will receive up to €11 billion in financial aid from the French and Dutch governments, while Germany has reportedly agreed to plough €9 billion into Lufthansa. Air France’s loan guarantee comes with non-binding requests to reduce emissions on domestic flights and buy more fuel-efficient planes. There is no request to tackle pollution from non-domestic flights, which are responsible for 90% of airline emissions in Europe.

Andrew Murphy, aviation manager at Transport & Environment, said: “France’s green requests are a first but we had non-binding commitments for years and airline pollution ballooned. Marginally more efficient planes won’t put a dent in emissions if airlines still burn fossil fuels that they buy tax-free. Governments should require the industry to take up greener fuels and pay taxes like the rest of us.”

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Transport and Environment, 29 Apr 2020: Airline bailouts set to double to €26bn as countries fail to impose binding green conditions