Air France, Lufthansa Group airlines part of EU greenwashing probe

However, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which alerted the EU to the possible greenwashing, said it targeted the following 17 airlines in its complaint: Air Baltic, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, SWISS, TAP, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air. Reuters is seeking comment from the other airlines.

Air France, its Dutch arm KLM, and several Lufthansa Group airlines are among 20 carriers being investigated by the European Union for potential greenwashing, the companies told Reuters. The Lufthansa Group airlines under investigation are Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Air Dolomiti and Eurowings, the group said on Thursday.

The EU said airlines needed to make clear to what extent claims about tackling aircraft CO2 emissions - whether by offsetting them with climate projects or using sustainable fuels - can be substantiated by sound scientific evidence. Industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E) said in a statement that it recognised the importance of clear information about sustainability, but said that current regulations in the EU "vary significantly between countries and are still evolving".

It is unclear which other airlines are being investigated. The EU has said it will not disclose the names while investigations are at a preliminary stage. However, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which alerted the EU to the possible greenwashing, said it targeted the following 17 airlines in its complaint: Air Baltic, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, SWISS, TAP, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.

Reuters is seeking comment from the other airlines. It is not clear how closely BEUC's list matches the EU's list, which contains three more airlines.

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