Air New Zealand is extending an online carbon offset programme to passengers the UK and Europe. New Zealand-based customers have had the option since March to fund the purchase of carbon credits to offset their travel. The scheme is now being made available to those booking outside New Zealand with the first international sites to go live being in the UK at www.airnewzealand.co.uk, followed by the main European site www.airnewzealand.eu and the German site, www.airnewzealand.de. Passengers will be able to voluntarily contribute to a new environmental trust set up by the airline in addition to the carbon offset programme. Both the carbon offset and trust contributions are voluntary, with airline users able to choose whether to contribute to one, both or neither. The first carbon credits the airline has secured are Emission Reduction Units from TrustPowers Tararua windfarm in New Zealand's North Island. The project was awarded these Kyoto carbon credits as part of the New Zealand governments Projects to Reduce Emissions programme. The airline also formed an environment trust committed to funding research and development into alternative fuels and supporting projects that enhance New Zealands clean, green, reputation around the world.

The trusts first project will be a conservation programme involving more than 100 acres on Mangarara Station in Hawkes Bay. Customers in the UK and Europe will also now be able to choose to contribute to the trust by nominating a desired amount on the facility available on the website. European general manager Scott Carr said: "When customers purchase a flight on Air New Zealand they will now be able to make a conscious choice about whether or not to take positive steps to helping our environment. "When you book a flight with Air New Zealand you will be offered the opportunity to pay a little extra to offset the carbon emissions for your flight. This is a voluntary process, with all money collected going directly to carbon offsetting projects."