Airline could lose EU carbon exemption

Air Namibia could lose its exemption from paying penalties for carbon emissions once the airline expands its flight frequency. Currently, Air Namibia complies with the European Union’s emission trading scheme (EU ETS) which exempts airlines which operate commercial flights and emit less than 10,000 tons per annum and which operate less than 243 flights per consecutive period of four months (between January and April, May and August and September and December), from submitting carbon emissions data.
The emission trading scheme was introduced by the European Union as a regulating instrument for airlines flying to and from Europe. Airlines flying in the Euro-zone are monitored and submit aircrafts carbon emission taxes under the Emission Trading Scheme [EU ETS] of 2011.
In the wake of its plans to increase flights to and from Frankfurt, Germany to seven, Air Namibia will fall out of the 243 flights per the consecutive four-month period cycle.
However, the national airline this week announced that it has been in talks with the German authorities who have access to the Euro Control Movements Data Bank in order to have an accurate analysis of the airline’s flight movement after it increases its flight frequency.
According to Paul Nakawa, head of corporate communication at Air Namibia, “so far the analysis by the authority has indicated that Air Namibia flights are falling out of the Euro Control Number of 243.” The airline will now engage the relevant authorities to find a way forward when monitoring emissions and trading with the emission trading scheme.
Nakawa pledged Air Namibia’s commitment towards initiatives which are directed to combat climate change, stating that the airline will comply with the scheme.