EU carbon tax stands to bring more air cargo to Halifax

EUROPEAN carbon emission taxes stand to increase use of air cargo facilities at east coast Canadian airports, because they are closer to Europe than any other in North America, reports the Halifax Chronicle Herald.

Under the European Union (EU) rules, Halifax offers a cost advantage, says airport marketing chief Jerry Staples, because it is closest to Europe. The EU carbon formula is based on tonnage, fuel used and kilometres flown. Thus, the less time in the air, the less tax to pay, he said.

This would make it advantageous to have cargo to or from the EU assembled, loaded and unloaded in Halifax, which handled 27,950 metric tonnes last year, he said.

Mr Staples said a further possibility would be to reroute cargo currently landing in Europe for breakdown and distribution to destinations outside of Europe.

If this were to come into play it would make plans for the expansion of the main runway from 2,640 metres to 3,000 metres to accommodate heavy loads all the more necessary.

But Mr Staples conceded that the eco-scheme would all come to nothing if Canada and the US decided to place themselves at the same disadvantage and impose carbon taxes themselves.

Source: www.schednet.com