KUALA LUMPUR: The world's airlines have committed themselves to a global cap on emissions in 2020, even allowing for a return to growth after the worldwide economic slump, the industry chief said yesterday.

The fuel-hungry air travel industry, which has been under attack from environmentalists for its contribution to global warming, faces estimated losses of $20 billion in 2008 and 2009.

But despite the global financial crisis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said at its annual meeting here that carriers had set an ambitious environmental goal that other major industries had yet to strive for.