North-South Wales flight link will fuel climate change

Friends of the Earth Cymru has today condemned the Assembly Government's announcement that it will give Highland Airways taxpayers' money to subsidise flights between Cardiff and Anglesey [1]. The environmental group is concerned that the air service will add to climate change and waste money that could be better spent on public transport improvements in Wales.

Julian Rosser, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru commented:

"Rhodri Morgan is robbing the poor to subsidise the rich and fuelling dangerous climate change in the process.  Not only will this service add to Wales's rising carbon dioxide emissions, it will take money which could be better used to fund an improved railway link between north and south Wales.

"Our politicians are very good at fighting about who cares most about climate change. But if we're really going to cut emissions, every decision we make now must consider the environmental impact.

"To support a new airlink at a time when public awareness over climate change is growing sends the wrong message.

"A public subsidy could greatly improve train journey times between Bangor and Cardiff - benefiting hundreds of people who take the train.  Instead, the Assembly Government is using our money to help the privileged few."

Notes

[1] Assembly Minister Andrew Davies announced today his intention to award the contract for north-south Wales flights to Highland Airways, based in Inverness.  The company is to run two weekday return flights from Anglesey to Cardiff.  The cost of the subsidy is estimated at around £1.6 million per year