Do we need to expand our airports?

12 May 2011

It's good news that the coalition Government has abandoned plans to build new runways at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports and that they're reviewing UK aviation policy.

Other airports have expansion plans but aviation emissions have more than doubled since 1990 and cannot be allowed to increase further if we are to meet our tough carbon reduction targets.

Planes are gradually getting cleaner but there won't be a miracle 'green plane' for the forseeable future. The Government must improve the green alternatives to flying like video conferencing and fast rail travel.

It must also look at the economics - aviation benefits from tax breaks of £9 billion per year. No fuel tax is applied to aviation fuel, yet Brits flying abroad spend much more overseas than foreign visitors spend in the UK - a net drain on our economy of £20 billion per year.

We need airports but we can't afford to expand them any further - we need a fresh approach.

For more information contact AirportWatch.