Issues in a nutshell

"Love Miles"

Aviation and Noise

Individual planes have become considerably quieter since the 1970s but this has been off-set by the huge growth in aircraft numbers - causing more noise in total. 

Complaining about noisy and off-track aircraft:

If you have complaints about noise, or of planes away from set flight paths, you can complain to your local airport management (check who is the appropriate manager to write to). 

Send a copy to the DfT:  Martin Capstick, Aviation Environmental Policy, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR

Air Quality at and Around Airports

Air pollution is a major issue for those who live in the vicinity of large airports.

Emissions from aircraft, air-side support vehicles and airport related traffic all contribute to a build up of potentially harmful gases such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and ozone. They also produce small particulates.

The most important pollutants are usually nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and small particulates (PM10, PM2.5). These often breach standards set by the UK government and the EU to protect human health.

For detailed information on air quality see Briefing on Air Quality around airports

Aviation and the economy

"Surely we need flying for the economy?"

 

Aviation’s contribution to the economy is less than the aviation industry and the Government suggest

The Government’s estimate of  aviation’s contribution to the economy is based on a report largely paid for by the aviation industry.  The report, The Contribution of Aviation to the UK Economy was carried out by consultants Oxford Economic Forecasting in 1999 with an update in 2006.

• The report ignored the tax-breaks the industry receives through tax-free fuel and being zero-rated for VAT –      worth at least £9 billion a year.

• Nor did it factor into its calculations the huge cost aviation imposes on society and the environment, which are  estimated to be around £16 billion a year.

• And it skated over the point that UK air tourists take more money out than foreign visitors bring in –

There is a "tourism deficit" to the UK economy - estimated at around £17 billion per year.

Government Aviation Policy

UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts  - November 2007

Carbon offsetting for your flight - does it work?

 

AirportWatch is not convinced that offsetting schemes are effective.   With more people buying carbon offsets to try and compensate for the carbon dioxide produced from their flights, the effectiveness and justification for these offsets is increasingly being questioned.  The Observer article discusses the problems.

The Observer - Carbon offsetting Ripoff? 

An article in the Sunday Times reveals that offsetting schemes involving tree planting can take a century to remove the CO2 from the atmosphere, making them very ineffective as a meals of reducing the climate changing effect of emissions.

Offsetting your carbon footprint takes decades  

"Cheatneutral"

If you can't make your mind up about offsetting, have a look at the Cheatneutral website.   As it helpfully says:

The aviation industry's advertising ...........

IATA - mastery of greenwash - The IATA adverts

IATA  (the International Air Transport Association) has produced a series of adverts, which appear in in-flight magazines and in other media.  The aim is to tell people how green flying is, how the aviation industry is trying very hard to reduce emissions, and how flying really is wonderful.   Their solutions to the carbon emissions problem range from reducing the number of ice cubes on board planes, blaming cows, flying in straight lines, to keeping the planes clean.

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Copyright AirportWatch, 2004