Government backs Gatwick expansion: comment

“For a Government focused on clean economic growth, there are plenty of projects they can support that will achieve their goals, but airport expansion is not one of them. Were the Government to approve expansion of both Gatwick and Luton airports, emissions would increase to such an extent that all the CO2 savings that the Government hopes to achieve from its Clean Power Plan would be wiped out by 2050.

“Despite arguments to the contrary, Sustainable Aviation Fuels are highly unlikely to be available in the quantities necessary to offset the extra emissions that the expansion of airports such as Gatwick would create. 70% of the UK's flights are taken by just 15% of its population. Airport expansion will just encourage these frequent fliers to fly even more frequently, emitting more and more emissions. The UK already runs a £41bn tourism deficit; an expanded Gatwick will make this worse by encouraging even more people to take their disposal income out of the UK and spend it abroad.”