United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Trains not planes could be the way forward
A government-funded group has proposed that the government look into improving rail infrastructure in the UK and Europe before expanding the UK’s airports.
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) has produced a report that suggests that some of the causes of climate change could be abated if short haul flights were replaced by rail journeys.
RCEP chairman, Sir Tom Blundell said: “Short-haul passenger flights, such as UK domestic and European journeys, make a disproportionately large contribution to the global environmental impacts of air transport and these impacts are very much larger than those from rail transport over the same point to point journey.
“The fact that rail transport cannot compete at present, at least in the UK, is a consequence of several factors, but these certainly include a failure to invest in a rail infrastructure and a failure to reflect environmental externalities in the cost of air transport”.
The Commission argues that limiting airport capacity would moderate demand, and in the future would lead to greater competition for slots, encouraging airlines to abandon short-haul routes in favour of more profitable longhaul routes. To make up for this, the Commission proposes the development of rail networks around hub airports to reduce the growth of regional feeder airports.
RCEP said that the contribution of aviation to climate change is being overlooked, for example it was not included in the Kyoto Protocol. It has submitted the report to Parliament together with its response to the government’s consultation on The Future Development of Air Transport in the UK.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Gatwick braces for strike
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’