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Super jumbo is not the solution to climate change
17 May 2006
The giant European A380 Airbus is due to land at Heathrow airport for the first time on Thursday 18 May.
The plane has been touted as the new "environmentally friendly" future of air travel. But Friends of the Earth says that this claim is misleading. The benefits from building slightly more fuel-efficient aeroplanes will be easily swamped by the anticipated huge increase in air travel.
Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner, Richard Dyer, said:
"Cleaner aircraft are certainly needed, but they are not the solution to the rising impact of aviation emissions on our climate. Any benefits gained by building more fuel efficient aircraft will be swamped by the rapid growth in air travel. Government action is urgently required to curb the anticipated rise in flights. This must include ending the £9bn effective subsidy handed to the air industry by UK taxpayers every year, and the scrapping of ludicrous plans for a massive expansion in British airports."
Friends of the Earth's climate campaign, The Big Ask, is calling on the Government to introduce a package of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. More info: www.thebigask.com
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
