More UK Airport Capacity

Extrapolation of growth trends in aviation leads to the conclusion that the South East of England will run out of airport capacity sometime before 2020. But predictions of continued growth of conventional aviation are based on the assumption that aviation will remain largely exempt from policy to reduce carbon emissions (noting that the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS will have little real impact).

The arguments put forward in defence of business-as-usual, range from ‘aviation is vital to the economy’ to ‘emissions are only 2-3% of global emissions’ so policy makers should look for reductions elsewhere. These are attractive arguments, allowing policy makers to ignore the challenge of drafting sustainable aviation policy. As the UK government shapes its new aviation policy through 2012, I hope it does not take this easy detour but tackles the issue head on and grasp the opportunity to move aviation into a new era.

Until policy makers carry out the research and deep analysis and that should underpin sustainable aviation policy, the current debate about building new airport capacity is at best premature, at worst just froth and posturing by vested interests. Green campaigners are no better, refusing to acknowledge that engineers could transform aviation to dramatically reduce the environmental impact allowing us to fly with a clear conscience – if politicians give the engineers an appropriate policy framework. Greens should be arguing to change policy, not arguing against flying per se.

The environmental impact of aviation can and should be reduced. This must be the foundation of sustainable aviation policy. Accepting this, would be a big step forward to a real debate.