30 Nov 2009 10:11:09

easyJet calls for emissions standards

easyJet has unveiled proposals for an industry-wide carbon standard that the airline claims will reduce emissions by 40 percent.

The low-cost carrier suggested that every new aircraft should meet the standard by 2015 and by 2024 no airline should be permitted to add aircraft that do not meet this criteria.

In addition, easyJet recommended rolling out regulation which ensures that no airline can operate aircraft which do not meet the new standard.

Commenting, the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) said that "more needs to be done" to control carbon emissions generated by the aviation sector.

John Stewart, a spokesman for the organisation, said: "I think in order to achieve the targets the airlines will have to look at reducing the number of planes in the sky."

"Domestic flights account for about four percent of the UK's aviation emissions, so it would be a good start," he added.

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