European Union was urged to work on a global carbon emissions trading scheme, for the airline industry together with other national governments and industry leaders -

In an informal presentation to the EU Tourism Ministers in Potsdam, Germany, PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said it appeared that some European policy makers wanted to implement their own scheme before a global agreement was reached.

However he urged the EU to support "a comprehensive emissions trading scheme for the entire airline industry". "One that is open and one that is globally harmonised," he said.

Instead of limiting travel or burdening the industry with counter-productive taxes, Mr de Jong also called for the EU to streamline inefficient air route corridors and modernise air traffic control systems.

These moves, he said, would significantly reduce aircraft fuel consumption and cut millions of tonnes of carbon emissions.

For instance, a 12% inefficiency factor in global air traffic control systems, identified by the United Nations, equated to a "US$13.5 billion bill for wasted fuel and 73 million tonnes of unnecessary carbon emissions".

Noting that the 21st Century would be the "Asian Century", Mr de Jong encouraged the Ministers of the 27 EU destinations to focus on the huge travel and tourism opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

"We have witnessed a 50% increase in Europeans travelling to Asia Pacific over the last decade and our forecasts show the numbers will increase by an additional 7 million over the next three years, at an average growth rate of between 6 to 7% per annum," he said.

Inbound travel to Europe was also growing strongly, particularly following the granting of Approved Destination Status (ADS) for many EU destinations by China, PRC. Visas from China to Italy alone grew by 72% in 2006.

Mr de Jong invited the Ministers to engage PATA to "unlock the doors to thousands of decision-makers in Asia Pacific source markets - our members and your new partners in the 21st Century."