The German companies issued a joint statement in which they say they support the European Commission’s Fit for 55 plan but call for a level playing field for all stakeholders inside and outside the continent.
The Fit for 55 program is based on three essential measures to reduce environmental impact: introducing a tax on fossil fuels, tightening emissions trading, and increasing the proportion of sustainable aviation fuels in operations.
Both the Lufthansa Group and the companies that manage the airports in the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich agree that modifications to the project are necessary. «If the current Fit for 55 plans were to be implemented without appropriate changes, it would result in a one-sided cost increase for airlines and hubs in the European network. Connectivity, value creation and employment in Europe would be significantly weakened,» they claim.
«That is why Lufthansa Group, Fraport and Munich Airport appeal to the EU Parliament and Council to improve the EU Commission’s proposals and initiate a regulation that promotes effective climate protection while maintaining the competitiveness of European hubs and airlines. Equal treatment of airlines and airports within the EU and their competitors outside the EU is crucial. So far this has been lacking. Given that the proposed climate protection requirements are decidedly stricter for EU airlines and hubs than for non-EU competitors, corrective action is necessary,» they sentenced in the statement.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, noted that «it cannot be in the interest of the EU and Europe to put European aviation at a disadvantage with Fit for 55 and thus weaken its international competitiveness. Carbon emissions from aviation would be changed and not reduced by the measures that are currently planned. As a result, Europe would become more dependent on third countries with respect to transport policy. This cannot be the intention of policymakers.»
In this connection, Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG, emphasized: «Yes, we need more effort and speed in climate protection! It is not a question of ‘whether’ but of ‘how’ to implement ambitious climate policies».
For his part, Jost Lammers, CEO of Flughafen München GmbH, added that «we need a fair and effective climate policy that does not put European airlines in a worse position than their competitors. A mere kerosene tax does not save a single gram of CO2. However, emissions trading and the PEF blending mandate, properly implemented, are effective instruments for the desired decarbonization of aviation.»
Based on this request, it remains to be seen how the European Commission will channel the companies’ claims, which are of great relevance in the European aviation market.
