The UK’s faltering attempt to exit the EU is hurting demand for air travel, just as the busy summer season gets under way. EasyJet dropped the most in more than two years after warning the crucial holiday months will be weaker than expected as low-cost airlines feel the brunt of the UK’s political crisis over Brexit and waning consumer demand. “We had hoped for a little more clarity and certainty around Brexit at this point,” CEO Johan Lundgren said. That uncertainty “has been accelerated in the last four to six weeks and that clearly has had an impact on customer demand.” The dour outlook adds another example of real-world fallout from the political infighting that has marked the run-up to Brexit, now delayed until at least April 12. From carmakers idling workers to Airbus stockpiling parts, the impact of Brexit is rippling through the economy. While Lundgren declined to give an outlook for annual earnings, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska said the carrier’s earlier indication that pretax profit would be in line with consensus of GBP580m is now out of reach. “Investors will likely question whether other European short-haul operators are experiencing similar dynamics,” Roeska and colleagues said in a note.<br/>
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Ryanair Holdings was one of the 10 biggest polluters in Europe last year, a first for a company that doesn’t run coal-fired power plants. That’s the conclusion of analysis of EU carbon emissions data undertaken by Transport & Environment, a Brussels-based research group. The group found Ryanair’s carbon dioxide emissions rose 6.9% last year. The findings underscore the airline industry’s rising contribution to the greenhouse gases blamed for damaging the atmosphere. Pollution from airlines has risen by about two-thirds since 2005 and is forecast to keep rising as flying becomes more affordable. That puts the industry on course to become the single-biggest emitter within three decades. Other industries are managing to cut their output of harmful substances. Last year, the EU Emissions Trading System recorded an 3.8% reduction in greenhouse gases. Nations from Germany to the UK are phasing out coal plants to curb emissions. Ryanair was ninth on the list of top polluters in Europe. The remaining slots in the top 10 were taken by utilities that generate electricity from coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. Ryanair said it “is Europe’s greenest & cleanest airline” and that “passengers travelling on Ryanair have the lowest CO2 emissions per km travelled than any other airline.” The International Civil Aviation Organization recently moved to address aviation emissions by adopting self-policing guidelines. Those call for offsetting any carbon increases by planting trees or investing in cleaner technologies. <br/>
North Korea's flag carrier Air Koryo has increased the number of flights between Pyongyang and Beijing in apparent anticipation of a rise in exchanges amid their improving bilateral relations, a source said Monday. Air Koryo will fly between the capitals of the allies five times a week starting in April, up from the previous three flights a week, according to the source. The Pyongyang-Beijing direct flights will be available every day except Wednesdays and Sundays. The increase appears aimed at meeting an expected rise in the number of tourists and other cross-border exchanges in state and civilian sectors as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties this year. <br/>
A dispute over trade union recognition at Stobart Air could affect Aer Lingus regional flights. Cabin crew directly employed by Stobart Air, which operates Aer Lingus regional services between the Republic and provincial British airports, are balloting for industrial action. According to trade union Fórsa the ballot would give them a legal mandate for industrial action should Stobart discipline any staff member for joining the union or taking part in a dispute. Stobart Air crew are balloting over the airline’s refusal to recognise Fórsa and negotiate with the union on staff pay and working conditions. Fórsa said that cabin crew rejected recent pay proposal from the company by a margin of two to one as it fell short airline industry norms. Union official Ashley Connolly maintained that Stobart cabin crew were annoyed at the company’s refusal to deal with the union.<br/>