| Low-cost airline companies have been | | | | the airline industry pointing out that |
| incredibly successful over the past few | | | | planes now are 70% more fuel efficient |
| years, but their success relies on being | | | | than they were in the 60's. Planes can |
| able to offer a large number of flights, | | | | also be built bigger, with Airbus |
| which unfortunately for the environment | | | | stating that their new A380 planes burns |
| equates to larger quantities of CO2 | | | | 13% less fuel than a 747. |
| emissions contributing to climate | | | | Despite the facts and figures being |
| change. While the general public enjoy | | | | thrown back and forth between the |
| the convenience of cheap air travel the | | | | aviation industry and the government, |
| backlash against the companies providing | | | | environmentalists argue that no matter |
| the services has been fierce, even | | | | what solutions are thought up, nothing |
| prompting Environmental minister Ian | | | | will diminish the public's desire to |
| Pearson to brand several low cost | | | | fly. Some have commented that the only |
| airlines "not just the unacceptable face | | | | way to solve the problem is to simply |
| of capitalism... (but) the irresponsible | | | | make the cost of flying more expensive, |
| face of capitalism." | | | | with the Aviation Environment Federation |
| In the face of such criticism low-cost | | | | suggesting that every passenger pays an |
| airlines have been quick to point out | | | | extra £34 per 700 miles they fly. The |
| that long-haul flight companies and | | | | aviation industry was quick to rebuke |
| other transport pollutants such as cars | | | | this idea, stating that it would be |
| are a far bigger threat to the | | | | detrimental to the British economy, |
| environment than their flights. The fact | | | | revealing that air travel contributes |
| remains however, that while one 800 mile | | | | around £14billion to the country every |
| journey from Stansted to Rome in a | | | | year. |
| Boeing 737 produces 27 tonnes of CO2, | | | | So what does the future hold for air |
| governmental authorities on climate | | | | travel companies and the customers that |
| change have estimated that the aviation | | | | use them? Early indications certainly |
| industry contributes just 3% to total | | | | suggest that the cost of flying will |
| worldwide emissions, compared to the 25% | | | | rise while flights in Europe will come |
| pumped out by power stations. | | | | under the jurisdiction of the Emissions |
| Many have predicted that aviation | | | | Trading Scheme by 2011, with airlines |
| emissions will soon rise to 15%, due to | | | | being issued with pollution permits. |
| aviation being one of the few sources of | | | | Fines will be charged to airlines |
| greenhouse gases that are growing, with | | | | exceeding their emission limit while |
| the government predicting that air | | | | green airlines that lower their carbon |
| travel will triple during the next | | | | emissions will be able to sell back |
| thirty years. In light of these | | | | their permits. |
| predictions, a target to make planes 50% | | | | The pressure is now on airlines to come |
| more fuel efficient by 2020 is in place. | | | | up with new technology to make air |
| Scoffed at by some, this target isn't | | | | travel more environmentally sound in the |
| out of the realms of possibility, with | | | | future. |