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AirportWatch Publications

A wealth of research demonstrates the UK's airport expansion policy needs fundamental review.  AirportWatch publications help campaigners and policymakers access the essential arguments.
 
Some of the publications mentioned are produced by AirportWatch - others by our member organisations.  Also below are some links to other important and relevant papers, produced by other bodies.  
 

AirportWatch bulletins

AirportWatch produces news bulletins about every 5 - 6 weeks.
 
 
 
AW Nov 2009                AW Oct 2009             AW Aug 2009  
AW July 2009               AW May 2009           AW April 2009 
AW Mar 2009               AW Jan 2009             AW Dec 2008  
AW Nov 2008               AW Oct 2008             AW Sept 2008 
AW July 2008               AW June 2008           AW April 2008 
AW Feb 2008               AW Dec2007             AW Oct 2007
AW Aug 2007               AW July 2007            AW  June 2007 
AW  Apr 2007               AW Feb 2007            AW Dec 2006 
AW Nov 2006               AW Oct 2006             AW Aug2006 
 
 
NEW !!
"Approach Noise at Heathrow: Concentrating the Problem"      
by AEF for HACAN.  March 2010        Press release

A major study - by the Aviation Environment Federation - has been published by HACAN. It outlines practical measures which would reduce aircraft noise for countless numbers of people living under the Heathrow arrivals flight paths.  The study was commissioned in response to the increasing number of complaints about Heathrow noise from people living many miles away from the airport and who used not to be affected.  The report has identified the reasons these areas are now affected and suggests remedies. 

 

 
Review of the airport draft Noise Action Plans
 
Research by AEF for AirportWatch has found that airport ‘noise action plans’ will fail to tackle impacts on local communities. European laws now require airports to draw up action plans to tackle their noise pollution. But these plans are written by the airports themselves, and just re-state what they already have to do to comply with, local planning requirements. Not one plan meets all the requirements of the EC law, and airports have failed even to comply with the weak demands of the EU’s legislation.  (Feb 2010)
 
The AEF’s report, (15 pages)  
 
 
 
 
"The Expansion of Regional Airports
Really a good thing?"
 
AirportWatch report   (September 2009)

The report argues the case against the expansion of regional airports.  There are strong arguments on grounds of the air tourism deficit losing local economies billions; on the carbon emissions generated by these airports, and the local environmental and noise implications. 
 
 
 
 
AEF report   (March 2009)

"Airport Jobs: false hopes, cruel hoax"

A new study of the employment provided by airports and airlines from the economist Brendon Sewill concludes that the Government should stop giving people false hopes about the number of jobs which would be created by the expansion of airports.   (23 pages)

The report and executive summary are at:  

 

 
 
Further Fallible Forecasts 
(March 2009)
 
"Fallible Forecasts" (see below) was produced in March 2008. 
An update has now been written by AirportWatch's Aviation Economics Group, in response to the DfT's publication of the "UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts 2009" in January 2009.  "Further Fallible Forecasts" takes account of numerous changes that have taken place over the past year, which affect forecasts.   (4 pages)
 
 
 
 
"Fallible Forecasts"
- a critique of the 2007 air passenger forecasts. 
 
(March 2008)
 
A report by AirportWatch's Aviation Economics Group.
 
The new forecasts produced by the Department for Transport are shown to be unreliable. They depend on a series of questionable assumptions.  "Fallible Forecasts" goes through forecasts for air traffic, for climate change damage and for the forecast net economic benefits of new runways at Heathrow and Stansted, and finds serious deficiencies in the Government's arguments.
 
 
 
 
 
Gatwick and Climate Change
 
A Critique of The Gatwick Airport Climate Change report by GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign).  BAA Gatwick produced a report on the carbon emissions from the airport, in August.   GACC has commented on its deficiencies.  (August 2009)
 
and the GACC critique is at   
 

and GACC's earlier report:

"Gatwick destroying climate change targets"  
A study of the emissions caused by aircraft using Gatwick Airport -   by GACC
Gatwick handles 17% of UK passengers. The distance flown by planes from Gatwick is probably about equal to the national average – less than from Heathrow but more than from other airports. That would indicate that aircraft from Gatwick on their outward journeys emit about 6.5 Mt of CO2.   Gatwick wrecking climate targets (14 pages, pdf,  314 KB)  (June 2007)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Campaign for Better Transport report 

"Alternatives to Aviation"

With a decision due soon on whether Heathrow should be expanded, CBT has released research showing how the Government could reduce business and other flights by boosting alternatives such as rail travel and teleconferencing.  Thje research – a literature review and a survey of 11 companies from a range of sectors – found that businesses already attribute many benefits to rail travel and teleconferencing over flying. By improving these alternatives and raising awareness of their benefits, the Government could cut the demand for flights and the need for airport expansion.    10th October 2008.
The research in full (PDF, 1.23MB - 151 pages)
or a two-page summary (PDF, 36K).
 
 
 
 
 
New World Development Movement report :
"Plane Truths - Do the economic arguments for aviation growth really fly?"

27.9.2008   New research says the economic case for airport expansion is unfounded, and international tourism is more of a risk than a benefit for developing nations. A new report from the new economics foundation and the WDM reveals that increased air travel and tourism leaves UK taxpayers out of pocket, and benefits multinational tour operators and hotel chains, rather than the poor.     WDM press release on the launch

 
 
 
 
 
 
"Contested Evidence: The case for an independent review of aviation policy"

The Sustainable Development Commission's summary of conflicting arguments and incomplete data underpinning aviation policy.  (September 2008)

 

 
 
WWF report on business air travel  - "Travelling Light"
WWF today launched "Travelling Light", a report into the appetite of British business to reduce its flying, with a focus on the possibilities of 'virtual meetings' through videoconferencing.  The report also serves to launch WWF-UK's campaign "One in Five" for companies to cut one in five business flights, over five years.   16.5.2008  (WWF-UK)
 
Key findings
  • 62% of companies surveyed are already reducing their business travel footprint.
  • A further 24% of companies are currently developing plans to do so.
  • 89% of companies expect they will want to fly less over the next 10 years.
  • 85% of companies say that videoconferencing can help them reduce their flying.
  • 89% of companies believe that videoconferencing can improve their productivity.
Travelling Light (32 pages - pdf)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change"
 
The IFEES (Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences) have produced a guide for green living for Muslims.  Page 9 deals with air travel.  (September 2008)
 
 
 
 

 

AirportWatch leaflet :

"Aviation Growth - just how bad is it for the climate?"

(August 2008)  Lots of useful facts and figures in an A5 size leaflet.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Flaws Galore"
The paper, entitled "Flaws Galore" compiled by AirportWatch's Aviation Economic Group, has identified over twenty serious flaws in the Government’s economic case for expanding Heathrow airport.  It assesses the assumptions on future oil price, taxes on aviation, the economic benefit of transfer passengers and the real value to business.  The findings of the new paper support the findings of the major report published recently from the independent Dutch consultants CE Delft.  (26.2.2008)
 
 

 

CE Delft Report on Heathrow economics - "The Economics of Heathrow Expansion"

CE Delft's report undermines the economic case for expansion at Heathrow. It challenges Government claims that its current proposals to expand Heathrow will benefit the economy to the tune of £5 billion. It argues the Government’s figures are based on flawed research which overestimates the importance of aviation to the economy. (14.2.2008) The Economics of Heathrow Expansion
 

 

 
The submission from the World Development Movement on the Heathrow consultation
The global challenge of climate change should form part of the scope of the consultation for adding capacity at Heathrow.  WDM’s response to the consultation therefore focuses on the implications of extra capacity at Heathrow for tackling climate change. (Feb 2008)
 
 
 
 
 
Friends of the Earth Briefing - Heathrow expansion - its true costs
(Jan 2008)   The Heathrow consultation presents the economic case as a given.  However, the economic case is flimsy in the extreme. This briefing presents five main arguments why it should not be accepted.  In summary, the consultation misleads the public as to the benefit of extra capacity at Heathrow.  Under more realistic assumptions, Heathrow expansion does not provide net economic benefits.  Valuing climate change properly means expansion has net economic costs.  The prime justification for expansion does not stack up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Aviation and Climate Change: Public Opinion and the Scope for Action"
 
A 'poll of polls' study reveals public support for Government action on climate change.  It reveals that a majority of people are willing to change their behaviour to tackle climate change, but expect the Government to take the lead.  The report found that although 78% of people say they would alter their behaviour, 70% expect a lead from the Government.   (December 2007)
 
The report, by Woodnewton Associates (http://www.woodnewtonassociates.co.uk) for enoughsenough  ( http://www.enoughsenough.org),  found that although 78% of people say they would alter their behaviour, 70% expect a lead from the Government.
 
The report found there is no public appetite for airport expansion.  Only 18% support it.  Indeed, 57% of people support “a policy aimed at slowing down the growth in air travel”. 
 

The report’s authors are Mark Gill and James Humphreys –  www.woodnewtonassociates.co.uk 

 
 
 
 
 
 
"Birds on the Move" - by the RSPB
 
A climatic atlas of European Breeding Birds.  (January 2008). A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds - which maps potential changes in distribution of all of the continent's regularly occurring nesting birds – shows that we need urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and redouble our efforts for nature conservation, if we are to avoid calamitous impacts on birds.
 
"Birds on the move" - Introducing a Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds  (723Kb)
 
 

 

Travel Trends 2006

- by the UK Government, Office of National Statistics  (published 2008). Data and commentary from the International Passenger Survey.  Contains information on aviation.  Travel Trends presents the main results from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) which collects information on travel to and from the United Kingdom.  The tabulations-only edition of Travel Trends 2006 which was published in November 2007 has been replaced by this edition which now also contains commentary.  Travel Trends. 
 
 
 
 
 UK Air Passenger Demand and Carbon Dioxide Forecasts
 
The Department for Transport’s most recent projections for aviation emissions were published in November 2007 in the document UK Air Passenger Demand and Carbon Dioxide Forecasts. See http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco2forecasts/
 
 
 
AirportWatch study on the December 2006 OEF report
A new study, carried out for AirportWatch in February 2007, found that the claimed economic benefits of air travel in the Government’s Progress Report on the Future of Air Transport published in December were largely based on a consultant’s report paid for by the aviation industry.  Despite growing concern about the impact of aviation growth on climate change, the Progress Report confirmed the government’s determination to press ahead with airport expansion, justifying this on the grounds of economic benefit.
AirportWatch study on OEF report (Feb 2007)    "entitled Alexander's Ragtime Band".
 
 
 
 
 
AirportWatch leaflet and flyer:    
WANTED - a rethink of UK aviation policy"
The December 2006 review of the Government's Aviation White Paper reaffirmed its expansion plans.  AirportWatch is calling for a fundamental rethink of government policy on aviation.  The leaflet (A4 - 4 pages) sets out the issues, and suggests a way forward. 
 
The solutions AirportWatch suggest include:
 
Reining back expansion so it is consistent with climate change targets
Recognising the limits rising oil prices will put on demand for air trips
Removing the tax-breaks the aviation industry enjoys
Reassessing air freight
Reducing the noise suffered by local communities
Respecting the county’s heritage, biodiversity and ancient woodlands
Revisiting Rail
Revising the economic assessment of the aviation industry
Reviewing the big expansion plans for the UK airports


 
 
 
Three important reports were published in autumn 2006, by organisations other than AirportWatch:
 
 
* Pie in the Sky  (Friends of the Earth)  Why the costs of airport expansion outweigh the benefits.   Pie in the Sky, published by Friends of the Earth in Sep 06, debunks the claims of the industry about the economic benefits of air travel and concludes that the costs of expansion actually outweigh the benefits.
 

* The future starts here  (Friends of the Earth and the Tyndall Centre)

 - the route to a low carbon economy.
The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change published a report in Sep 06 which show the UK could move to a successful, low-carbon economy. However, it shows that unless aviation is constrained, the rest of the economy will have to be re-structured to make room for it.
 
* Predict and Decide  (Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University)
 
Aviation, climate change and UK policy
The Environmental Change Institute, part of Oxford University, published a comprehensive report (Predict and Decide) in Oct 2006 into the policy questions surrounding aviation and climate change. It confirms almost everything we have been saying about the need to constrain aviation growth.

 

The Two Faces of BAA

A report from AirportWatch in February 2006 was a devastating indictment of BAA, revealing the harsh reality behind the responsible and green image that BAA tries to cultivate.   BAA is planning new runways at Stansted, Heathrow, Edinburgh and possibly Gatwick and Glasgow, as well as an increase in flights at Southampton and Aberdeen, where, last year, it introduced night flights.  The report compares the image BAA tries to present at each of its seven UK airports with the actual effect its expansion plans will have on the residents and the local environment, as well as BAA's close links with Government.
 

 
 
Emissions Impossible
An assessment  - by the Aviation Environment Federation (Feb 2006) - of the noise and air pollution problems at Heathrow airport and the measures proposed to tackle them.  Noise and air pollution pose severe environmental and public health problems at Heathrow and in the surrounding area.   Nonetheless, the Government and the aviation industry wish to expand the airport, first by switching to ‘mixed mode’ operations (that is, ending the practice of runway alternation), and then by the addition of a third runway.
 
 
 

"Aviation in a Low-Carbon EU" : (Tyndall Centre report - September 2007)

The Tyndall Centre's new report, "Aviation in a Low-Carbon EU" investigates to what extent EU proposals to include aviation in its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) would help deliver a low-carbon EU future.  The EU plans to include aviation in the EU ETS from 2011 for intra-EU flights, with ALL flights departing from or arriving in the EU included from 2012.

 

 

"Fly Now - Grieve Later"  (June 2005)

The Aviation Environment Federation has published  "Fly Now – Grieve Later."  The author is Brendon Sewill, who also wrote the "The Hidden Cost Of Flying" in 2003.

"Fly Now – Grieve Later" deals with climate change and the use of ‘economic instruments’. Economic instruments are financial measures such as charges, taxes and subsidies which can affect the environmental impact of aviation.

"Fly Now – Grieve Later" takes off where "The Hidden Cost Of Flying" landed.  The scope has been broadened to make it more applicable to the EU and beyond.  The booklet looks at technical, economic, social and political angles and considers the impediments to action.

See link below for summary (Word document) and link to the full publication (Adobe Acrobat; 1.2 Mbtyes).

   'Fly Now - Grieve Later' : summary
   'Fly Now - Grieve Later' : booklet (1.2 Mbytes)  pdf

 

"The Hidden Cost of Flying"   (2003)

This report was published in 2003, prior to the aviation White Paper. It deals with the economic aspects of airport expansion. Things have moved on, but the economic issues remain wholly relevant.

"Important decisions about the future of aviation are due to be announced around the end of 2003 in a White Paper covering the next thirty years. The Department for Transport (DfT) published consultation papers in July 2002 setting out proposals for expansion at many airports, with options for new runways at Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, and in Scotland; and possible new airports at Cliffe, at Church Lawford between Coventry and Rugby, and perhaps at Bristol. Following judicial review of the decision to exclude Gatwick, a further consultation is being undertaken.

The airlines are lobbying hard for expansion while, not surprisingly, the plans are creating substantial opposition. The environmental case against expansion is well known: the growing impact of aviation on climate change, noise and pollution around airports, destruction of landscape, wildlife and heritage. This booklet, however, is designed to subject the economic case for aviation growth to critical examination."

 The Hidden Cost of Flying  pdf

 
 
 

"Flying to Distraction"  (CPRE  - 2003)

A leaflet summarising the findings of Aviation, Noise and the Countryside. Includes maps for 2000 and 2030 showing how the Government's forecasts for air travel would impact on the tranquillity of the countryside and communities.

 
 
 
Global Climate Change and Biodiversity   (April 2003)
 
This summary report from the international conference "Global Climate Change and Biodiversity" presents some of the scientific research into how the natural world is being affected by climate change – and also how the natural world might respond in the future.  The conference, held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich,  in April 2003, was organised jointly by the RSPB, WWF-UK, English Nature, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

 

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AirportWatch Publications

AirportWatch has produced a number of publications in association with some the UK's leading campaigning organisations. These are essential reading for airport campaigners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright AirportWatch, 2004