Airlines clash over CO2 as industry vilified in climate debate

An uneasy alliance between airlines as they face down criticism over carbon emissions has collapsed into a high-profile dispute involving Europe’s biggest network carrier and largest discounter. Lufthansa CE Officer Carsten Spohr lashed out at low-cost carriers including Ryanair Holdings in a Swiss newspaper last weekend, saying their loss-leading fares are stoking demand for needless flights that raise pollution and make the industry an easy target for climate campaigners. Ryanair CMO Kenny Jacobs hit back by pointing to Lufthansa’s inferior record on carbon dioxide output and emailing 15m clients in Germany and Central Europe drawing attention to Spohr’s remarks, which he said highlighted his company’s lower fares and emissions. “I give our thanks to Lufthansa for making our marketing costs less,” Jacobs said Wednesday in Frankfurt, where the German carrier has its biggest base. “We’re very happy with the comparison.” Spohr’s interview came amid mounting pressure over the close to 1b tons of CO2 airlines spew into the atmosphere each year at a time when high-profile polluters such as carmakers and power stations are starting to clean up their acts. The European Aviation Safety Agency said in June it will grade jets by emissions to help people choose between airlines, while France has unveiled a flight tax it says is partly a response to the sector’s role in global warming. Speaking with Zurich-based NZZ, Spohr labeled fares as low as 10 euros ($11) “economically, ecologically and politically irresponsible” and partly to blame for making aviation “a target for criticism” in the climate debate. The spat underscores fault lines between network and low-cost carriers, despite efforts to find common ground via lobby groups such as Airlines for Europe, which Spohr helped found with Ryanair counterpart Michael O’Leary.<br/>