Travel: Greenwashing in the U.S. airline industry?

New European standard would cap greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes, but several U.S. airlines are sueing to block the regulations.

Major carriers sue to block European Union regs that would cap and reduce some airline greenhouse gas emissions

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Three of the largest U.S. airlines like to tout their green credentials, but out of the public eye they’re doing their best to gut meaningful environmental rules for the industry.

American Airlines and United both promoted their environmental initiatives in a campaign timed to coincide with Earth Day last month. American published an article, “AA Reduces Environmental Footprint”, in its in-flight magazine, and United promoted itself as an “environmentally friendly company” in its new, widely publicized “eco-skies” campaign.

But at the same time, both companies filed suit in a European court to block a European Union law that holds all airlines accountable for their global warming pollution from flights to, from and within Europe. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012. American and United have also been lobbying the U.S. Congress to declare the EU law invalid. (more…)

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