AOA welcomes select committee's call for a rational debate on aviation

“Aviation is a vital part of the UK economy. It contributed £18.4 billion to the UK’s economy in 2007, and directly and indirectly generates more than 234,000 jobs. Flying also has an environmental impact, which airports and the wider aviation industry are successfully working together to reduce. The Committee is absolutely right to say that the social and economic benefits of aviation need to be balanced with their environmental costs.

“It is crucial for us to acknowledge, as the Committee has, that climate change, and aviation, are most effectively and successfully addressed at the international level. We urge politicians to secure a global deal on aviation emissions at Copenhagen.

“People will continue to want to fly and a growing economy will need access to aviation. Aviation will be part of a low carbon future because of the benefits it brings. To realise them we need an aviation policy that supports sensible and sustainable growth, an international deal on aviation emissions, and does not punish travellers with punitive UK-only taxes like Air Passenger Duty.

“The benefits of flying are too easily taken for granted. We believe that aviation is good for society and the economy. Sustainable growth is possible within environmental limitations. This growth will provide further benefits to the economy through increasing productivity and competitiveness; creating more jobs and wealth; and thereby enhancing quality of life.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 08-Dec-09