The price vs the cost of flying

 Last week saw lawmakers in the European Parliament vote on several files that will have major ramifications for the future of transport. One such file concerned aviation carbon allowances, with the Parliament’s environment committee greenlighting proposals to make airlines pay more to pollute. 

Essentially, the Parliament wants every flight departing from the EU to pay for the carbon they emit via the EU’s Emission Trading System, with free allowances scrapped by 2025.

Currently, more than a half of airline emissions are covered by free allowances. In 2019, airlines were granted some €800 million worth of gratuities.

Unsurprisingly, the aviation industry has balked at the lawmakers’ proposals. (...)