Externalities and air transport The Government recognises the benefits that the expansion in air…

Externalities and air transport

 The Government recognises the benefits that the expansion
in air travel has brought to people’s lives and to the economy of this country.
The increased affordability of air travel has opened up the possibilities of
foreign travel for many people, and it provides the rapid access that is vital
to many modern businesses. But we have to balance those benefits against the
environmental impacts of air travel, in particular the growing contribution of
aircraft emissions to climate change and the significant impact that airports
can have on those living
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Externalities and air transport

 The Government recognises the benefits that the expansion
in air travel has brought to people’s lives and to the economy of this country.
The increased affordability of air travel has opened up the possibilities of
foreign travel for many people, and it provides the rapid access that is vital
to many modern businesses. But we have to balance those benefits against the
environmental impacts of air travel, in particular the growing contribution of
aircraft emissions to climate change and the significant impact that airports
can have on those living nearby. Air travel has increased five-fold over the
past 30 years, and demand is projected to be between two and three times
current levels by 2030. Some of our major airports are already close to
capacity, so failure to allow for increased capacity could have serious
economic consequences, both at national and at regional level. That must be
balanced by the need to have regard for the environmental consequences of air
travel. The Government believes that simply building more and more capacity to
meet demand is not a sustainable way forward. Instead, a balanced approach is
required which: _ recognises the importance of air travel to our national
and regional economic prosperity, and that not providing additional capacity
where it is needed would significantly damage the economy and national
prosperity; _ reflects people’s desire to travel further and more often
by air, and to take advantage of the affordability of air travel and the
opportunities this brings; _ seeks to reduce and minimise the impacts of
airports on those who live nearby, and on the natural environment; _
ensures that, over time, aviation pays the external costs its activities impose
on society at large – in other words, that the price of air travel reflects its
environmental and social impacts; _ minimises the need for airport
development in new locations by making best use of existing capacity where
possible; _ respects the rights and interests of those affected by
airport development; _ provides greater certainty for all concerned in
the planning of future airport capacity, but at the same time is sufficiently
flexible to recognise and adapt to the uncertainties inherent in long-term
planning. As part of this approach, the Government believes more needs to be
done to reduce and mitigate the impacts of air transport and airport
development. At the global level, the government will play a major role in
pressing for new solutions and stronger action byinternational bodies. And the
White Paper sets out proposals to bring aviation within the European Union
emissions trading scheme, to help limit greenhouse gas emissions.

1 What is meant by ‘externalities’?

 2 Outline the advantages and disadvantages of an expansion
in air travel.

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