A robust defence of air travel

In: Uncategorized

22 Nov 2006

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.