Archived press release

Aviation: the plane truth

27 September 2003

A coalition of environmental groups today launched `Aviation: The Plane Truth' - a 10 point myth busting manifesto to counter bogus claims made by aviation industry supporters. The leaflet, produced by Airport Watch [1], is published on the eve of the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, where the aviation industry's PR machine will be in over-drive to try and persuade MPs to support massive runway expansions.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling is due to announce whether to give the green light to new and expanded airports, and where they will be built [2], by the end of the year. `Aviation: The Plane Truth' provides evidence to show how Government's plans will damage the environment and people's health. It also blows away the myths that new runways benefit the economy or that they are actually needed at all. Earlier this week Friends of the Earth published figures to show how each region of the country misses out on millions of pounds of public money because of the 9 billion each year in tax breaks and subsidies that the aviation industry receives nationally.

Richard Dyer, aviation campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:-

"MPs should be aware of the glossy PR from the aviation industry. The plain truth is that it currently receives massive public subsidies to pollute the environment. This is completely unacceptable. The Government must reject calls for more runways, and announce plans to make the industry pay its way in its forthcoming aviation white paper."

John Stewart, Airport Watch spokesman said:-

"We believe Aviation: The Plane Truth exposes many of the myths about the environment and the economy that the Government has been peddling as fact."

Andrew Critchell, CPRE Aviation Campaigner said:-

"It is vital that decisions on the future of air transport are taken on the basis of accurate information. The Government risks underestimating the environmental damage that would be caused by airport expansion. It needs to take serious action nationally and internationally to reduce future demand for air travel and tackle the industry's environmental impacts head-on."

Aviation: The Plane Truth (PDF format)

Notes

[1] Airport Watch is a coalition of environmental NGOs that oppose airport expansion, Aviation and Environment Federation, Council for Protection of Rural England (CPRE), Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000

[2] The Department for Transport is expected to publish its aviation white paper by the end of 2003

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust