Making its opposition to the European Union?s move to tax airlines for emission clear, the aviation ministry has decided to pass an order banning Indian carriers from making any such payment.
?We have been against such a levy from the beginning itself. We will soon issue an order banning airlines from paying any tax on carbon emission to EU,? said a senior civil aviation ministry official.
The order could escalate the conflict over EU norm that makes it mandatory for airlines across the world flying in and out of Europe to pay for emission. While countries across the world have been opposing such a levy, India and China have completely ruled out the possibility of paying any tax.
According to the aviation ministry official, ?An order in this regard will make it a norm that would be a must for every airline in India to follow.?
The EU had given March 31 deadline to Indian carriers to submit their carbon emission data. However, the aviation ministry had asked airlines not to do so. Both the EU and India have been threatening each other with strong actions.
A number of EU officials have been coming to India to discuss the issue with government. The EU had also warned that Indian carriers might be barred from flying to Europe if they don?t submit the data. However, it?s yet to take any action.
The Indian government had warned of reciprocal measures. The matter had been discussed in the Cabinet secretariat as well. The ministry is mulling over possible action, which includes formulating a new legislation to prohibit airline and aircraft operators of a particular state to participate in the EU-ETS (European Union-Emission Trading System), suspension of current and future negotiations on enhancing the operating rights of EU airlines and imposing additional charges on EU carriers.
