Aviation forecasts are unsustainable, says report
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Plans to expand Heathrow and Gatwick airports pose a threat to the environment, says a new report.
The emphasis should be on fewer flights, argues the South East England Regional Assembly, the public body in charge of south-east England planning.
The government's forecasts for aviation growth are unsustainable, it argues.
This report coincides with the publication of draft expansion plans which could see a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow airport.
Social impact
The government's White Paper on aviation policy is "inherently unsustainable," according to an independent report commissioned by Seera (the South East England Regional Assembly).
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If you make it [air travel] that cheap you create a very rapid rate of growth of the industry
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Furthermore, the government's forecasts for aviation growth in the White Paper are "inconsistent" with the government's own policies on sustainable development, Mike Gwilliam, Seera's director of planning and transport told BBC News.
"The government should think again about its report about the rate of aviation growth and modify their policies to go for a more sustainable rate of growth and less environmental and social impact", he said.
By 2030 aviation would be generating half of the UK's total carbon dioxide emissions, he said.
"This is an unsustainable rate of growth."
As for the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Mr Gwilliam said the arguments against these plans were stronger than originally thought after the report said there would be "very negative impacts" for the areas around Heathrow and to a lesser extent Gatwick.
He said there was a possible case for developing Stansted.
Air passengers might have to pay higher air fares, he added.
"Prices are amazingly cheap. If you make it that cheap you create a very rapid rate of growth of the industry. It is out of kilter."
The report also recommended a stronger emphasis on developing regional airports and suggested supporting less damaging alternatives to air travel such as train travel rather than internal flights.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling unveiled the government's framework for the development of airport capacity in the UK over the next 30 years in December 2003.
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