Some key themes
- Aviation’s continued growth is increasing its impact on the environment.
- European governments are moving closer to introducing eco taxes on aviation.
- Excluding transfer passengers from any departure tax risks damaging the environmental credentials of such schemes.
- The U.K. government, which has taxed air passenger departures since 1994, is now looking to promote carbon offsetting.
- KLM stands out among airlines for embracing the need to reduce air travel.
- IATA would prefer governments supported the development of sustainable aviation fuels rather than introduce taxes that could damage the aviation industry.
International environmental organization “Friends of the Earth” estimates aviation emissions more than doubled between 1990 and 2016, while overall emissions from all sources fell by 43%.1 Low aviation taxes, a proliferation of low-cost carriers and the rise of alternative accommodation have been blamed for an air-travel boom. While the debate continues, European governments are starting to look to taxation as a way of reducing aviation’s environmental impact. Read more