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| UK 'running out of airport space' | UK 'running out of airport space' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Britain's airports could run out of runway space for aircraft within 15 years if aviation growth is left unchecked, a report says. | Britain's airports could run out of runway space for aircraft within 15 years if aviation growth is left unchecked, a report says. |
| The report by 60 local authorities also says the aviation sector is one of only a few industries planning to increase its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. | |
| The Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (Sasig), want Downing Street to curb growth. | |
| The government is aiming for a 60% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050. | The government is aiming for a 60% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050. |
| 'Polluter pays' | |
| Sasig said the government had "seriously underestimated" future demand for air travel. | |
| It is calling for a full review of the 2003 Aviation White Paper, which published growth forecasts. | |
| One option the government could follow was to ensure the rate of annual growth was cut from 5% to 2%, the report said. | |
| This could be brought about by a "polluter-pays" tax on air travel, it adds. | |
| At the same time, train services could be improved to make rail services a more viable alternative to short-haul flights. | |
| There is universal recognition that the aviation industry is one of the fastest growing contributors to global warming Sasig chairman councillor Richard Worrall | |
| Sasig's report said it should be accepted most of the UK's airports were located in areas where further growth was difficult, and that developments should be constrained to a smaller number of airports. | |
| Sasig chairman councillor Richard Worrall said: "We accept that the UK economy and its people have much to gain from a successful aviation industry. But there is universal recognition that the aviation industry is one of the fastest growing contributors to global warming. | |
| "The government's own Stern report is a stark reminder to us all of the consequences of not taking action now to address the issues. | |
| "The Aviation White Paper may only be three years old, but it is already self-evident that its forecasts of future demand for air travel, which underpin the government's aviation policies, have seriously underestimated future demand." | |
| The aviation experts have said the White Paper is a considered document which maps out a plan for the country's airport requirements in the coming years. |