End of the bonanza

One of the proudest boasts of the Euroluvvies is that the EU has "brought cheap flights to Europe", taking credit for the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair which have brought affordable flying to millions.

But since "deregulation", the EU has been doing its best to restore the status quo. After banning Ryanair from doing deals with municipally-owned provincial airports, on the grounds that this was illegal state aid, having hiked insurance rates and also imposing the ludicrous "denied boarding" regulations, the EU is having another go.

According to The Business today, the commission is proposing to extend its emissions trading scheme to all airlines operating out of airports in the European Union.

At an estimated cost of €600 million for intra-European flights alone, this will add up to €9 to the price of a round-trip ticket and slow the industry's growth by up to 3 percent over the next five years.

Fortunately for the MEPs though – to say nothing of the commissioners - they get full reimbursement of their airline fares. So, while the rest of us pay through the nose, courtesy of the EU, our beloved leaders and representatives will not be inconvenienced.