The European Union’s proposed expansion of carbon pricing to cover selected international flights has drawn growing criticism from airlines and industry bodies, with concerns that the measure could duplicate existing global climate obligations while increasing costs on routes connecting Europe with parts of Africa, the Middle East and neighbouring regions.
The proposal, published by the European Commission on 18 July, would extend the European Union Emissions Trading System to certain international flights departing from Europe and travelling to destinations within approximately 5,000 kilometres of a designated reference point in central Europe. Subject to approval by European Union institutions and member states, the changes would take effect from 2029.
The proposal would affect a number of services linking Europe with North Africa, Türkiye and parts of the Middle East. Long haul transatlantic flights to the United States would remain outside the scope of the proposed measure.
Industry representatives argue that the proposal risks overlapping with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, known as CORSIA, the global emissions framework established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. CORSIA was agreed by ICAO member states in 2016 and requires participating airlines to offset growth in carbon emissions from international aviation through the purchase of eligible carbon credits.
Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow, Emirates President Tim Clark said the aviation industry had already committed to the global framework and questioned the need for additional regional measures.
“This is a double burden because CORSIA is already in place and has the support of the aviation community as the agreed mechanism for addressing international aviation emissions,” Clark said.
Emirates has already begun meeting its obligations under CORSIA by purchasing carbon credits linked to rainforest conservation projects in Guyana as part of its emissions reduction strategy.
The International Air Transport Association has also opposed the European Commission’s proposal, maintaining that a globally coordinated approach remains the most effective means of reducing aviation emissions while avoiding regulatory fragmentation.
Airlines for America, which represents major United States carriers, echoed similar concerns. The organisation said extending European carbon pricing beyond regional aviation would create overlapping regulatory requirements and could conflict with existing international agreements governing civil aviation.
The European Commission had not commented on the industry response at the time of publication because of a public holiday in Belgium.
For African aviation, the proposal carries particular significance. Many airlines operating between Europe and North Africa, as well as several services linking Southern, Eastern and West Africa through Middle Eastern hubs, could face indirect commercial implications if operating costs increase on affected sectors. Although most direct services from Sub Saharan Africa fall outside the proposed geographical threshold, airlines serving destinations through North African or Middle Eastern gateways may experience changes in network economics, pricing structures and competitive dynamics.
African aviation stakeholders have consistently argued that climate policies should balance environmental objectives with the continent’s development priorities. The aviation sector remains an important driver of tourism, trade, investment and regional integration across Africa, where air connectivity continues to play a critical role in supporting economic growth and expanding participation in global markets.
The debate also highlights wider questions about how international climate policy should be implemented across sectors that operate globally. Supporters of CORSIA argue that a single international framework provides greater certainty for airlines and reduces the risk of multiple overlapping carbon pricing regimes. Advocates of stronger regional measures, however, contend that additional policies may be necessary to accelerate emissions reductions in support of broader climate commitments.
The European Union’s proposal will now enter the bloc’s legislative process, where it will be examined by the European Parliament and member states before any final decision is reached. If adopted, the measure would become one of the most significant changes to the regulation of international aviation emissions in recent years.
