Flybe, one of Europe�s leading low cost airlines, today welcomed comments made by Stavros Dimas, the European Union�s Environment Commissioner, that the Commission is likely to recommend the introduction of the aviation sector into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme rather than impose a fuel tax or passenger levy. The Commissioner also indicated that the introduction of aviation into the EU ETS could only take place by 2012 at the earliest.

Mike Rutter, Flybe�s Marketing and Sales Director, said:

�Climate Change is an issue that effects every single one of us and at flybe we have always taken our environmental responsibilities seriously. Flybe wants to play its part in protecting the environment from climate change and we call on all other airlines to join us."

�Simply imposing a tax on passengers or on fuel was never going to benefit the environment. Flybe welcomes the European Commission�s recognition of this fact and we will seek to work with both the Commission and the Government in order to make an emissions trading scheme a success and to help address the problem of climate change.�

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For further press information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Nick Williams, Fleischman Hillard, 07799 621 970/ 020 7395 7160

Notes to editors: The EU Emissions Trading Scheme imposes a cap on how much carbon dioxide can be produced by those sectors covered by the scheme. Companies that produce less carbon emissions than their allocation are allowed to sell excess carbon permits thus encouraging companies to reduce their emissions. Those companies exceeding their emission allocations have to buy additional permits.