Extract
Regional News - Europe.
New York, Geneva (AirGuide - Regional News Europe) Feb 19, 2012
Officials from U.S., other nations opposed to EU ETS will meet Representatives from more than 25 countries opposed to the European Union's emissions-trading scheme plan to meet in Moscow next week. The countries include the U.S., Brazil, China, India and Russia. A draft agenda for the meeting says the countries will focus "on coordination of activities to oppose the inclusion of international civil aviation in the EU ETS." Feb 17, 2012 U.K. airports stop using iris scanners Several airports in the U.K. are no longer using iris scanners to screen travelers because the systems take longer than manual screening. The systems, which were introduced in 2004, have already been removed from airports in Birmingham and Manchester. Feb 17, 2012 Moscow Talks To Discuss ETS Measures A meeting in Moscow next week of nations opposed to the EU law that forces all airlines to buy carbon permits will debate a "basket of counter-measures" to the European Union scheme, a draft agenda seen by reporters on Friday showed. The agenda also refers to the formal dispute procedure under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, although some airline representatives and analysts have said the meeting would be unlikely to decide on whether to invoke that for now. Nations, including China, the United States, India and Russia, have all expressed opposition to EU legislation requiring carriers using EU airports to acquire allowances under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). China's central government State Council, or cabinet, earlier this month said all airlines were barred from taking part - unless they received government approval to do so. The so-called "coalition of the unwilling" - bringing together 26 nations - has held a series of meetings. At its two-day Moscow gathering beginning on Tuesday, Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin is expected to open the "follow-up international conference" on coordinating activities to opposing the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS. Other agenda items refer to a letter to EU member states and "application aspects of the article 84 of the Chicago Convention", again without explanation. Article 84 covers a formal dispute procedure at the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Airline representatives and analysts have said it would be unwise to opt for the extremely lengthy formal dispute procedure before ICAO has had another chance to find a global market-based solution to airline emissions. Feb 17, 2012 Tell the airline industry what you really think says Airline Passenger Experience Association Whether you fly weekly for business or occasionally for pleasure, chances are you have stepped off a plane with a story to share about your experience. Now, instead of telling your friends, you can tell the airlines by taking the Passenger Choice Awards survey at www.passengerchoiceawards.com, and in the process help drive innovation in air travel. In its third year, the Passenger Choice Awards were launched by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) to provide airline passengers the opportunity to give direct feedback on every aspect of the flying experience: in-flight publications, connectivity and communications, food and beverage, informational videos and entertainment, cabin ambiance, and pre-departure experience. OOur industry is committed to continuous improvement to the passenger experience, and passenger feedback is critical to that commitment,O said Russell Lemieux, Executive Director of APEX. OWeOre relying on passengers to rate their experience and help identify the best innovations in air travel today.O APEX introduced a new survey format this year that allows voters to provide specific feedback in just one or two areas--such as food or movies--or in all six areas, which completes the entire survey. The survey can be accessed 24/7 all year round, so every flight experience can be tabulated, Lemieux said. Lemieux also noted that the Passenger Choice Awards are entirely independent of any commercial influence. All responses are independently tabulated by the Nielsen Company, a global leader in consumer information and measurement. Winners are announced at a gala at the APEX EXPO, held annually in the fall. This yearOs APEX EXPO will be held in Long Beach, CA, USA, 17-20 September. Among last yearOs winners were Emirates, which won Best Overall Passenger Experience for airlines with more than 50 in-flight entertainment equipped aircraft, and Virgin America, which was named Best Overall for airlines with a smaller fleet of less than 50 in-flight entertainment equipped aircraft. There were winners in more than a dozen additional categories. Linda Palmer, Senior VP, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Non-Theatrical and APEX Awards Committee chairperson, notes, OThe Passenger Choice Awards are designed not only to recognize and to reward the airlines for their continued service ...See the full content of this document
