Russia is considering limiting the frequency of flights over Siberia by EU airlines in retaliation against the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) because the country is firmly opposed to this system, Deputy Minister of Transport Valery Okulov said in Moscow, on 22 February. He added that third-country companies, such as those from Japan or China, would profit from this situation. The legislation on the ETS, which entered into force on 1 January 2012, obliges airlines operating in the EU, whatever country they hail from, to purchase the equivalent of 15% of their CO ₂ emissions, ie 32 million tonnes, to fight against climate change.

Airlines will have to comply with this obligation by spring 2013. This legislation has led to protests from several countries, including the US, China and India. A meeting of 29 countries that are opposed to this scheme was held in Moscow, on 21-22 February, to harmonise their positions. According to Okulov, a declaration was signed at the meeting, which lays out a series of retaliatory measure, including the adoption by each signatory country of legislation forbidding their airlines to pay for their CO ₂ emissions.