Are airlines really turning into eco-warriors?
A report in the UK’s The Observer says that a month after nearly 2,000 people camped at Heathrow to protest at aviation’s contribution to climate change, a surprising new campaign group has emerged – the airlines themselves.
Easyjet’s chief executive and other staff donned fancy dress to protest outside the Houses of Parliament last week, calling for a new system of taxation based on each aircraft’s carbon emissions and thus incentivising airlines to operate newer, greener planes.
“Climate change is a real and imminent danger which should be a concern for us all,” warned the airline in a statement which also announced that from next month Easyjet passengers will be confronted with ‘environmental messages’ on the backs of seats.
Easyjet’s attempt to portray itself as a green crusader might seem absurdly ambitious, given its key role in inspiring the boom in low-cost flying, but it is part of a wider trend among British airlines.
Budget airline Flybe recently launched ‘eco labels’, so customers can judge flights on their noise pollution, carbon emissions and effect on air quality. “It is designed to help consumers identify which type of aircraft and which route is the most sensitive choice for the environment,” says Mike Rutter of Flybe.
Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, has become a keen proponent of biofuel, and promises to demonstrate a flight using this before the end of next year. The airline has also begun towing aircraft to runways or taxiing on two instead of four engines ‘where possible’, and some of its aircraft cut fuel consumption on landing by gliding towards runways.
Not surprisingly, environmentalists remain unconvinced. “Aviation is the fastest-growing source of UK carbon dioxide emissions,” said Richard Dyer of Friends of the Earth. “Unless urgent action is taken to curb it, air travel is predicted to eventually account for Britain’s entire emissions quota.”
There are also suspicions of self-interest. Under Easyjet’s proposed tax system, air passenger duty or APD (a flat rate of £40 per person on long-haul flights; £10 on domestic) would be scrapped, and airlines charged according to type of plane and distance travelled. Easyjet, with its new, usually full, planes and short-haul operation, would benefit significantly.
“If aviation has to be taxed, it should be done in an intelligent manner,” said chief executive Andy Harrison. “At the moment, a passenger to Marrakesh pays the same APD as one flying to Sydney.”
Friends of the Earth agreed with a reform of APD, but added: “The government must do more to tackle the growth in aviation.” “This should include VAT on air tickets, a tax on aviation fuel and a moratorium on airport expansion.”
Report by The Mole and The Observer
John Alwyn-Jones
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