New ‘green’ attack on airlines
A doubling of Air Passenger Duty is one of the suggestions being made in an effort to stifle demand for cheap air travel.
A report from Oxford University warns that the government will not be able to meet its target of a 60% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 without curbing demand for air travel.
One of the report’s authors Dr Sally Cairns, quoted by the BBC, said: “Raising Air Passenger Duty would help to counter reductions in fares, which are estimated to have been responsible for at least 40% of recent avaition growth.”
The report says taxation through increased passenger duty would be easier and quicker than including aviation within the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, as the Department fro Transport is suggesting.
Without action, aircraft emissions will account for about a quarter of the national total of emissions by 2050, up from around 5.5% now.
The report – Predict and Survive: Aviation, Climate Chnage and Policy – warns that the UK is becoming “air dependent” and government policies set up to tackle the issue are contradictory.
Although limiting flights might be bad for airports and airlines, other sectors of the economy such as domestic tourism would benefit, according to the report.
Project leader Dr Brenda Boardman reportedly said: “The government has to confront the contradictions in its policies. Unless the rate of growth of flights is curbed, the UK cannot fulfil its commitments on climate change.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026