Britain and other EU countries worrried about climate change could lose thier ability to impose taxes or restrictions on airlines under a draft treaty between the EU and US which actually curtails the power of national governments.
The treaty which is known as the “Open Skies” agreement, is meant to liberalise aviation. But it includes a clause requiring EU states to reach agreement not only with each other but also the US before taking measures to tackle noise or air pollution from airlines.
So now we have a situation where Europe will have to gain approval from the US to curb air travel, the fastest source of climate change. And we all know the what Bush’s stance on climate change is don’t we.. “Keep on flying boys!”