EasyJet today called on governments across Europe to ban nearly 700 of the “oldest and dirtiest” aircraft from flying in an effprt to tackle climate change.

The low-cost airline wants the European Union to ground commercial and freight aircraft built before 1990 by January 1, 2012.

The move would take nearly a fifth of the aircraft currently in Europe’s skies out of action.

In an exclusive article for The Times, Andy Harrison, the chief executive, said the move would have a “dramatic” effect on greenhouse gas levels.

He said that if all “dirty” planes were replaced by the new generation of aircraft, carbon emissions in the industry would be cut by between 4 to 5 per cent.

Mr Harrison will formally announce the proposal in Hamburg today as easyJet takes delivery of its 100th new Airbus 319 in less than four years.

The proposal could put easyJet on a collision course with some of Europe’s older airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France.

Market statistics show that 678 of the 3,622 aurcraft operating in Europe’s skies were built before 1990. British Airways runs 20, Lufthansa 39 and Air France 29. DHL Air operates 22 and Alitalia 29.

Mr Harrison said: “Governments and regulators must begin to recognise that some aircraft are dramatically more environmentally efficient than others.

“The European Commission has announced new guidelines that average car emissions should not exceed 130g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

“Similar steps must be taken to get the oldest aircraft out of the sky to enable the industry to achieve green growth.”

Under easyJet’s proposal, the European Union would refuse to register any aircraft built before 1990.

Once in force, the ban would roll forward, capturing any aircraft in operation for more than 22 years.

A British Airways spokesman said the airline would respond to the idea if the European Union produced a draft ruling.

He added: “We are in the process of renewing our fleet and we will have replaced all our oldest aircraft by early next decade.”

EasyJet’s bid comes a day after The Times revealed that nearly three quarters of the British public feel the airline industry should be doing more to tackle global warming.

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