EasyJet calls for more efficient planes

Aircraft should have to meet tough emission standards to reduce CO2 output by 40 per cent in the next generation, according to easyJet.

The budget airline has called for changes to be made in the industry, saying that the government's current plans to tax the industry are not sustainable.

Andy Harrison, easyJet's chief executive, said: "Aviation needs a global solution. Government's first instinct is to tax, but this won't deliver sustainable aviation as the industry's growth is concentrated in China and India.

"Step change technology is in the pipeline, and we need tough legislation on emission standards for it to be delivered sooner."

He suggested that the industry should introduce new, cleaner models and ground the older aircraft.

Under the proposals, easyJet suggested that by 2015 every new aircraft should meet the standards, by 2024 airlines could not add any aircraft to their fleet that did not meet the standard and could not operate any by 2030.

Some airlines, including easyJet, have a high load factor, with the airline filling nine out of ten seats on average.

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