A robust defence of air travel

An interesting article defending flying as one of the greenest ways to travel in today’s Guardian. Among the arguments put forward by Giovanni Bisignani, the director-general and chief executive officer of the International Air Transport Association:

* Air travel currently accounts for only 2% of global carbon emissions.

* The International Panel on Climate Change estimates the proportion could rise to 3% by 2050.

* Fuel efficiency has improved immensely over the past 40 years.

* European air traffic control wastes fuel because there are 34 different navigation providers.

* 28m jobs and $3 trillion in economic activity (8% of global GDP) would disappear if airline flights were stopped – never mind foreign holidays.