Home > Press releases > 1996
18 Sep 1996
Friends of the Earth today welcomed BAA plc's announcement of its continuing
commitment to improving public transport links to Heathrow [1], but stressed
that it maintains its opposition to BAA's planned fifth terminal at the
airport [2]. It called on BAA plc to recognise the environmental damage
caused by air travel and support increased taxation of the industry.
Roger Higman, Senior Transport Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"We fully support and give credit to BAA plc for its efforts to encourage more passengers and workers to travel to the airport by public transport, but remain at odds with its plans for a fifth terminal at Heathrow."
"This is a good first step, but BAA must recognise that the 'polluter pays principle' applies as equally to air travel as to road transport. It should endorse the environmental case for the proper taxation of flights and aircraft fuel" [3].
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] BAA plc's plans are to be announced at a press conference this morning. BAA plc is committed to ensuring that 50% of passengers arriving at Heathrow use public transport (Financial Times - 17 September, 1996)
[2] Friends of the Earth opposes plans for a fifth terminal at Heathrow because of their local and global environmental impact. Friends of the Earth believes the Government should take steps to properly tax air travel before it allows any further increase of capacity at Britain's airports.
[3] Airlines are currently exempt from paying fuel duties on the kerosine they use, while air travellers do not pay VAT on the price of their flights. These tax breaks make flying cheaper leading to increased pollution, energy consumption and demand for airports.
[Index]
Contact details:
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LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
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