Four of the world's leading airlines on Thursday called for greenhouse gas emissions from aviation to be included in a new global climate deal.

The Aviation Global Deal Group (AGD) said the industry needed a "pragmatic, fair and effective global policy solution," ahead of crucial United Nations climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

"Aviation has a key part to play in reducing global emissions and for too long has been seen as part of the climate problem rather than part of the solution," said Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler in a statement on behalf of AGD.

The group, which held its first meeting in Hong Kong on Thursday, brings together Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic and airport operator BAA.

The four airlines said the deal should balance the "social and economic benefits of flying" with the industry's responsibility to cut emissions and play its part in meeting tough climate change targets.

Air transport, which contributes around two percent of global CO2 emissions according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has not been included in previous deals to regulate emissions, such as the Kyoto Protocol.

World leaders will be trying to negotiate a new climate deal to succeed Kyoto in Copenhagen.