The European Commission has proposed extending the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to flights landing at major neighbouring hubs like Dubai and Istanbul, and to all private jet departures and arrivals. This targets a loophole where long-haul flights to certain airports avoided the EU carbon price, while domestic commercial flights paid it. The move aims to level the playing field for European airlines and hubs competing with airports just outside EU borders that are not subject to the same climate rules. The proposal exempts flights to US and Chinese airports for now, giving the global CORSIA offsetting scheme another six years to prove its effectiveness. If CORSIA is not solid by 2032, the EU will extend the ETS to all departing flights. Private jets will no longer be exempt, addressing criticism that wealthy travelers avoided carbon pricing while families paid it on commercial flights. Airlines for Europe criticized the plan, arguing passengers pay more without guaranteed reinvestment in decarbonization.
