EU Will Make Airlines Pay to Pollute

Aims to shave jet fuel costs in unprecedented deal

(NEWSER) - Delta Air Lines is pocketing a Pennsylvania oil refinery in an industry-first move to clip its ever-burgeoning jet fuel costs, which soared to $12 billion last year. The $150 million deal—about the cost of a new jetliner, notes Reuters —is set to satisfy 80% of the airline's US fuel needs, while simultaneously saving it $300 million a year. Delta will also sink $100 million into upgrades at the idled ConocoPhillips plant in Trainer, Pa., so that it can better refine jet fuel. More»

Ticket holders may not get refunds

(NEWSER) - An Australian airline has gone bankrupt—leaving some 4,000 passengers stranded in spots like Indonesia and Hawaii. "It currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses so flights will be suspended immediately," Air Australia and its new administrators said today, according to CNN . "It also appears highly unlikely there will be any flights in the short to medium term," so passengers should seek other transportation, the company noted. More»

Will Europe stop flights?

(NEWSER) - China is prohibiting all of its airlines from paying the EU's new carbon tax, a standoff that is likely destined for a World Trade Organization unfair trade practice suit, reports the BBC . The long-planned European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme came into effect the first of the year, and it charges all airlines in European airspace for their carbon emissions. But the scheme has been heavily criticized by many outside the EU, including Canada, the US, and China, whose officials argue that the airline industry cannot afford a new expense. China's airlines alone could face charges of up to $124 million annually for their share of EU carbon taxes. More»

Expert calls new data 'surprising'

(NEWSER) - The Chinese government, under fire from its citizens about its unbelievably upbeat pollution reports , has started to release more detailed data about smog in Beijing, reports the AP . For the first time, Beijing's official weather website yesterday included readings about PM2.5, or particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size—extra-small particles that are considered more dangerous. So far, though—surprise, surprise—the new readings have been good, with data one expert called "surprisingly low." More»

Find tickets, new flights, even lounges

(NEWSER) - Every air traveler armed with a smartphone should load up on these five apps, says the Travel section of USA Today:

• SkyScanner (Free): This app will hunt down the best price for your ticket. It scans not only all of the airlines' websites but all of the online travel agencies (Expedia, Priceline) as well.
• Next Flight ($2.99): Yeah, it's relatively pricey, but worth the cost when needed. If your flight is canceled or delayed, or you just plain miss it, the app provides a list of all available flights from all carriers over the next two days. If none are there, it searches for hotels and car rentals.
• Priority Pass (Free): This app supplies a list of all the lounges at your airport. You can look through photos and amenities before deciding whether to shell out money for a pass.