EU puts airline emissions rule on hold (3)

Yang Fuqiang, a senior adviser on energy, environment and climate change at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the fact that the suspension lasts for only a year will put policymakers under great pressure to come up with an alternative.

"A year may not be enough for the International Civil Aviation Organization to reach a global deal," he said. "The talks may take more time."

Chen Juming, senior vice-president of the aircraft maker Airbus China, welcomed the EU's decision.

Chen said Airbus believes the parties debating the proposed emissions trading system can arrive at a solution by next fall, when the International Civil Aviation Organization will hold a conference.

"Only a plan from the aviation organization will lead to a real solution," he said.

He declined to say if the EU's decision will lead to a resumption of orders that China had put on hold. Airbus confirmed in March that the country had suspended approvals for $12 billion worth of Airbus orders, including orders for 35 of the company's A330 planes and 10 of its A380s.

Zhao Shengnan contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at lanlan@chinadaily.com.cn and wangwen@chinadaily.com.cn

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