Campaigners call for greener aviation measures

UK government bodies have pitched the implementation of new measures to the secretary of state to make air transportation more environmentally friendly. UK politicians have written a letter signed by business leaders, as well as pro and anti-airport expansion campaigners. The letter includes requests for a step by step change in the limitation of aircraft carbon dioxide emissions and the place of effective mechanisms to assist in better noise management.

The letter speaks of airport related carbon dioxide emissions in saying: “We believe the goals set by the major airports in their surface access strategies provide strong foundations on which to build a programme of change and further improvements. These obligations include the reductions in vehicle emissions which Heathrow [Airport], Gatwick [Airport] and [London] Stansted [Airport] have committed to achieve. In parallel, government must play its part.”

The letter came as industry leaders met with politicians in London last week to discuss the possibility of expanding airports whilst also overcoming air and noise pollution.

Gavin Hayes, Director of the pro-airport campaign ‘Let Britain Fly’ which was behind the letter, has said: “For this tohappen we urgently need the government to commit to a step change improvement in rail access to increase the number of journeys by public transport and reduce vehicle emission.” Hayes continued: “We also need to ensure CO2 emissions from aircraft are effectively managed and establish an independent aviation noise authority to better manage aircraft noise.”