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Air France, Lufthansa Group airline companies part of EU greenwashing probe

Air France, its Dutch arm KLM, Norwegian, SAS and a number of Lufthansa Group airlines are amongst 20 providers being investigated by the European Union for possible greenwashing, the companies said on Thursday.

The EU said airline companies required to make clear to what level claims about taking on airplane CO2 emissions - whether by offsetting them with environment projects or utilizing sustainable fuels - can be corroborated by sound clinical evidence.

The Lufthansa Group airline companies under investigation are Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Air Dolomiti and Eurowings, the group said on Thursday, while a. spokesperson for Air France-KLM validated the group was also. part of the probe.

Norwegian stated in a reply to a demand: We received. the letter, and are now working to familiarize ourselves with. the case product and will address this within the deadline.

Nordic carrier SAS also verified it had actually received a letter. from EU authorities.

Industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E) stated in a statement. that it identified the importance of clear information about. sustainability, however that existing guidelines in the EU differ. substantially in between countries and are still progressing.

It is uncertain which other airlines are being investigated. The EU has said it will not reveal the names while. examinations are at an initial phase.

Nevertheless, the European Customer Organisation (BEUC), which. informed the EU to the possible greenwashing, stated it targeted. the following 17 airlines in its problem: Air Baltic, Air. Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings,. Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, SWISS, TAP,. Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.

TAP did not verify it became part of the probe when gotten in touch with. but described a statement by the A4E group of. airlines issued in reaction to the EU probe.

The other providers listed by BEUC did not right away. reply to a request for remark.

is looking for comment from the other airline companies.

It is unclear how closely BEUC's list matches the EU's. list, which includes 3 more airline companies.

(source: Reuters)