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Qantas criticized the Australian government's emissions trading scheme
UPS, ATW's 2009 Cargo Airline of the Year, adopted a plan to cut its CO2 emissions
Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler accused the UK government
NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program and the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency Foundation announced the Green Flight Challenge

Eco-Aviation Today, August 10, 2009, p.8

Qantas criticized the Australian government's emissions trading scheme, warning that the costs of operating the intricate system will be borne by consumers. In a speech delivered in Perth, QF Chairman Leigh Clifford said the government's ETS has "theoretical benefits and has the merit of being market-based." He cautioned, however, that "the intricate valuing, trading and system management" it requires will come at a cost.

Clifford also warned that plans to tax domestic but not international flights would affect domestic tourism. "My personal feeling is that it would be better to have the certainty of a carbon tax--easier to implement, simpler for everyone to manage and much more flexible," he told Eco-Aviation Today.

UPS, ATW's 2009 Cargo Airline of the Year, adopted a plan to cut its CO2 emissions by an additional 20% by 2020 to bring its cumulative reduction to 42% compared to 1990 levels. The company said its aircraft "are the source of 53%" of UPS's total CO2 output and it intends to achieve the 2020 goal "by investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft types and engines, fuel-saving operational initiatives, and the introduction of biofuels."

One of the drivers for the reduction is UPS customers, spokesperson Lynnette McIntire suggests. "We are a huge part of their supply chain," she said in a statement. UPS plans to cut its fleet's emissions to 1.24 lb. of CO2 per available ton-mile in 2020 from 2.13 lb. in 1990. Part of the strategy will be delivered by the retirement this year of the airline's 44 DC-8 Super 71F/Super 73Fs. They will be replaced by 767-300Fs. It is also expected that UPS will be a candidate for the 777F.

Archrival FedEx is on a similar course with 757s replacing 727s, improving fuel efficiency by 47%, and 777s replacing DC-10s and MD-11s.

Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler accused the UK government of "bludgeoning airlines and their passengers without thought or mercy." Delivering the keynote address at the Swinburne University Aviation Industry Dinner in Melbourne on July 24, Tyler slammed the UK government's new distance-based air passenger duty that takes effect from November as a way of using concern for the environment "to excuse or justify massive increases" in the APD. "By November this year you will be paying a tax of £55 ($93) to fly from London to Melbourne in economy and £110 if you're in business or first class. Those figures will rise to £85 and £170 ($288) by November next year!"

Tyler accused the UK government of not spending one penny of the tax on the environment. "By far the worst thing about this swingeing and arbitrary tax is that it will not benefit the environment in any quantifiable way. None of it gets earmarked to be spent on anything remotely connected with the environment, or into renewable energy projects or the like. No, the money goes into central government treasury coffers to be spent by the man in No. 10 Downing Street. A 'green' tax? More like a 'Brown' tax, if you ask me," he said in a play on UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's family name.

Referencing the UK government's expenses scandal that has led to the resignation of several members of parliament, Tyler suggested that "perhaps the departure taxes are going to pay for duck islands and moat cleaning for [British] MPs."

NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program and the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency Foundation announced the Green Flight Challenge to design and fly an aircraft that can average at least 100 mph on a 200-mi. flight while achieving greater than 200 passenger mpg. First prize for the aircraft with the best performance is $1.5 million and the competition is scheduled for July 2011 at Santa Rosa, Calif.

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