IGNORE: Government urged to plan to cut flights

The Government needs a coherent strategy for reducing flying in line with overall CO2 reduction targets, a leading ‘green’ tour operator claims.

Responsibletravel.com managing director Justin Francis dubbed plans to expand airports to cope with a predicted doubling of air traffic as “insane”.

He said: “We believe we all need to be flying less.”

Francis wants to see the Government increase the cost of flying through either emission trading schemes or taxation to a level sufficient to start reducing the number of flights taken annually.

Tax revenues should be “transparently hypothecated” to low carbon initiatives and incentives offered to encourage airlines to be greener and create more fuel efficient planes.

Airport capacity should only be expanded when there is a real need based on current customer numbers.

The operator wants travellers to make more responsible travel choices as well such as reducing the number of flights taken each year, cutting the number of short breaks by air, avoid taking internal flights once at the destination, offset carbon emissions and demand that politicians take action.

The company suggests trying to take fewer, longer holidays instead, use local public transport and opt for responsible holidays that respect, benefit and helps to conserve local communities, customs and enviroments.

Francis said: “The debate on flying is wrongly raging at two extremes, with environmental campaigners arguing that all flying is evil and the Government planning to double UK flights.

“We believe the solution lies at neither of these extremes but instead involves a steady reduction in flights and an increase in responsible tourism.

“Tourism directly and indirectly accounts for one in eight jobs globally and is a major source of income for those in the developing world.

“In reality, if we were all to stop flying tomorrow, a major global recession would result, thereby affecting local communities and thwarting efforts by governments and industry to research and invest in the renewable energy sources and newer, greener technologies that are so greatly needed if we are to reduce emissions globally.

“However, the UK Government’s plans to expand airports to cope with a predicted doubling of air traffic are insane.  At responsibletravel.com we believe we all need to be flying less and we will continue to call on the Government to introduce a coherent strategy for reducing flying in line with overall CO2 reduction targets.”

by Phil Davies