Global Warming CO2 Curbs Could Cripple Airline Industry and Cost Thousands of Jobs

June 7th, 2007 10:11 AM

Here’s an inconvenient truth the media aren’t likely to share with citizens as they continue to spread global warming alarmism: schemes currently being debated to reduce CO2 emissions likely will destroy the airline industry while diminishing new job creation.

So suggested a Seattle Times article Wednesday (h/t Chris Horner, emphasis added):

European airlines claimed say the European Union' plan for a mandatory greenhouse-gas cap and trading system would cripple the industry with extra costs of $5.4 billion a year.

Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair joined major carriers such as British Airways and Lufthansa in saying the plan would diminish mobility, hurt the overall economy and cut off remote areas from tourist traffic, citing a report that the airlines commissioned from global accounting group Ernst & Young and air transport consultants York Aviation.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? However, the news is even worse according to an Associated Press article also published Wednesday (h/t Benny Peiser, emphasis added):

Because of stiff competition, airlines say they would be unable to pass costs on to customers, which would in turn prohibit investment in new routes and technology. It could also quash up to 42,000 new jobs needed to handle anticipated industry growth, the airlines said.

Think that Katie, Charlie, or Brian will be reporting this any time soon?

Of course, folks like Al Gore, Sheryl Crow, Laurie David, and Leonardo DiCaprio don’t care about any of this because they fly private jets.