Angry airlines say emissions curbs will clip wings

As of 2012, airlines flying from or to an EU country will have to limit emissions to 97 percent of 2005 levels, with further reductions later. Including non-European carriers, this opens a new front in the fight against global warming.

The companies are furious. An industry body said the European scheme could add 6 million euros a year to the cost of a typical regional airline. With high oil prices and the economic crisis reducing customer demand, experts predict at least 70 global airline bankruptcies for the year.

Copyright © 2009 euronews