The European Commission formally proposed to include civil aviation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

, a system designed to help countries and companies comply with greenhouse gas reduction targets. All intra-EU flights--including those operated by both EU and non-EU carriers--would be covered by the proposal starting in 2011, followed a year later by all international flights to and from EU airports. "Like the industrial companies already covered by the EU ETS, airlines will be able to sell surplus allowances if they reduce their emissions and will need to buy additional allowances if their emissions grow," according to a European Commission statement. "Any increase in ticket costs resulting from the scheme is expected to be limited, and significantly lower than rises due to oil price changes in recent years."