Aviation and the Economy
|
|
There is one justification which is used time after time by the aviation industry to justify massive expansion of air travel and airports. The economy.
The government, which as many of us many of us now realise, is in the pocket of big business, is more than happy to support this line.
But the reality is that there is no evidence that the such growth in air travel would actually be good for the economy. Analysis - as opposed to hype and spin from the industry and government - shows that the UK economy would probably be worse off if the demand currently forecast by the government were to be met.
Never more was the expression "It's the economy, stupid" more apposite!
An entire industry has sprung up which purports to show how important it is for air travel to grow in order to support the economy. The common factor is that this industry is financed by those who would benefit financially from a massive increase in air travel, namely the air transport industry and the tourist industry.
In contrast, there is no financial incentive to tell the truth about air transport and the economy. But despite this, or perhaps because of it, campaigners in Friends of the Earth and other organisations are determined to let people know the real story.
Links to related pages
See pages which give information on air transport and economics:
- introduction to economics issues
- forecasts
- tax avoidance
- tourism
- regeneration
- equity
- jobs
- red herrings
- £9 billion pa tax dodge
- Chancellor continues massive tax dodge
- Heathrow
May 06