Co-op Travel has become the first major travel agency in the UK to reject the building of a planned third runway at Heathrow. As part of its strategy to support responsible and sustainable tourism, the organisation says further growth at existing regional airports would be preferable.

Managing director of Co-op Travel Mike Greenacre said an in-depth analysis of projected airline growth had been carried out by the business in association with Campaign for Better Transport.

 “The research found that a third runway at Heathrow and other new runway proposals conflict with the UK’s targets to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050,” he said.

“Technological progress to reduce emissions is possible and would allow for moderate growth within current emission targets. However, the industry needs to ramp up its efforts for this to be realised.

“If the industry can demonstrate that it is able to grow without increasing its emissions, such growth, we believe, would be best accommodated at existing UK regional airports.”

As part of its green campaign, the group, which sells £1billion holidays a year, is offering free carbon offsetting for each Co-op member who books a flight-inclusive holiday with Co-op Travel, up to a value of £45.

It is also encouraging customers to make a £1 donation to the Travel Foundation, a charity that supports sustainable tourism projects in holiday destinations worldwide, which should raise more than £700,000 a year.

Other initiatives include funding two research projects with Forum for the Future that will look at future opportunities for overland travel in tourism and, more generally, the future of UK outbound tourism

By Linsey McNeill