Is Aviation Out of Control?
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Aviation |
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Above the law |
Air transport is Treated as a Special Case
Despite causing major health and environmental problems, the air transport industry escapes the environmental laws and taxes that apply to other industries.
- Aircraft and airports are exempt from normal UK pollution regulations
- Aircraft are exempt from noise legislation
- Emissions of greenhouse gases from planes are omitted from the Kyoto Climate Convention
- There is no tax on fuel for aircraft
- There is no VAT on buying aircraft, aviation fuel, flight tickets or meals
So not only are airports and aircraft excused from environmental laws; they are also, in effect, subsidised by all taxpayers.
Frightening Forecasts of Growth
The massive tax exemptions lead to artificially low fares. The result is a huge and unsustainable demand for more flights and airports. It is forecast that air travel will grow at about 5% pa unless action is taken.
Did you know ? . . . If air travel continues to expand at the rate predicted we would need 4 more Heathrows by 2020.
Aviation Industry and Business Interests
- The aviation industry is fundamentally committed to year-on-year aviation growth at 5% or more
- Powerful industry lobby groups are putting our government under pressure to support this growth regardless of the impacts
What are the Threats?
- We face unwelcome and unecessary proposals for new runways and airport development
- Without a credible aviation strategy, airport expansion is likely to be ad-hoc and rushed through
- A third runway at Heathrow could be imposed, at huge environmental cost
- Environmental standards will be be set aside in order to allow expansion