Triton conference special: Tories refuse to back down over aviation taxes
The Conservative party has re-iterated its plan to hit airline passengers in the pocket if it wins the next general election.
Earlier this year, the party caused controversy in the industry by proposing extra taxes on domestic flights, and shadow environment, food and rural affairs minister, Peter Ainsworth, said there was a price to pay for carbon emissions.
“Emissions at high altitude have a significant impact and the growth of flights is huge,” he said.
“I don´t want to stop people from flying and I wouldn´t have come to the conference if that was the case.
“But where possible, people should use less polluting alternatives and aviation should pay for the long term costs of pollution.
“Why is it cheaper to go from London to Manchester by plane instead of train? Why is Paris the most popular destination from Heathrow? This has to change.”
Ainsworth also questioned whether the traditional ´sun, sea and sand´ model was sustainable with so many people travelling abroad.
“Climate change is real and it is caused by mankind. It has arguably killed more people than terrorism and we have to act.”
Ainsworth said companies should implement green policies before government forced them to change their ways.
“I urge companies to go green, to be ahead of the curve, rather than being dragged into compliance by politicians.
“Travel companies have their reputations at stake and can lose customers if they do not act.”
by Jeremy Skidmore (www.jeremyskidmore.com)
Jeremy Skidmore
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