"UK Plan To Tax The 'Polluted' Skies"

Monday, September 1, 2003

NEW PLAN TO TAX THE SKY 
United Kingdom - Sky News


Airlines - and in turn their passengers - could be made to pay for the
environmental damage caused by the increase in air traffic.

A top Government advisory body has suggested charging for the increasing
congestion in the skies. 

An international agreement on airspace charging is one of the proposals put
forward by the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT).

If adopted, the proposals would introduce tough noise, congestion and
pollution charges on airlines - with these costs passed on to travellers.

Government-funded, but independent, CfIT has been critical of the
Government's 10-year transport plan and has also recommended radical
anti-congestion measures for the roads.

In its new report on aviation, the commission says that airlines are
responsible for far more pollution than they are held accountable for.

It adds that airlines' responsibilities should be extended to congested
runways and airspace, local environment, health effects, greenhouse gases
and land blight.

CfIT adds that passing on these costs to the airlines is both in line with
the Government's view that the "polluter pays" and would encourage airlines
to raise their standards further.

The number of passengers using UK airports tripled in the 20 years to 2001,
rising from 50 million to 162 million.


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