KLM chief questions aims of EU sustainability policies

The EC’s proposals regarding the sustainability of air travel lack clarity in terms of what they are seeking to achieve, in the view of KLM CE Pieter Elbers. Elbers said Thursday he does not “precisely understand what’s the objective of some of the things. Is the objective to make flying for our customers much more expensive so they fly less? That’s nothing to do with sustainability in itself, that’s just a way to influence consumer behaviour. Are the taxes meant to encourage companies to speed up their sustainability programmes?” he asked, arguing that most businesses already do all they can in that regard. Earlier in September, the EC presented its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. It has previously discussed measures such as taxes on aviation fuel as potentially helping the region to meet that target. Instead of such taxation – which he says ends with money going into “general funds” – Elbers believes the focus should be on “investing in real innovation and bringing forward the industry”. He mentions KLM’s work with Delft University on developing biofuels as an example of that “innovation”, alongside its investment in new-generation aircraft. He also notes what he sees as a contradiction in the recent state bailouts of European airlines being potentially followed by an effort to impose new taxes on the same businesses.<br/>