In Belgium, Euroactive reported that the German and French aviation associations have called on the European Commission to act immediately against the “competitive distortions” caused by new sustainable fuels rules, pitching a tailored levy for passengers as a solution. From this year, all flights departing from an EU airport will be obliged to include a gradually-increasing share of sustainable aviation fuel in their kerosene when refueling, according to the report. “For Germany, this means $400 million extra in costs, without additional revenue” said Joachim Lang, managing director of the German Aviation Association (BDL) on Thursday in a press briefing. The associations say that the requirement unfairly penalizes European airlines who operate long-haul flights, compared to their competitors in Turkey or the Gulf. The associations alternatively propose a ticket surcharge for journeys involving a stopover at a hub outside the EU, the report added. As part of the deal, the organizations want national governments to decrease or get rid of national taxation on aviation. “Everything combined makes flying in Europe more expensive than it needs to be,” Lang added.
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