Introduce restrictions on short haul flights
Restrict internal flights within the UK mainland where straightforward alternative travel options are available by public transport, and ensure travelling overland is more affordable.
An average short haul flight creates six times more climate change impacts per passenger than the same journey by rail (based on UK Government figures).
As part of France’s 2021 climate law a restriction on short haul flights is being introduced following approval by the European Commission. The plan is to abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than 2.5 hours.
The Scottish Government’s recent Aviation Statement is critically lacking in ambition regarding emissions reductions and endorses actions that are unlikely to meet even the insufficient targets outlined. In seeking to meet the desired outcomes, the statement completely ignores the evidence that demand management will be crucial and offers no suggestion or policies to this end – indeed, it even suggests continued growth.
The Scottish Government would need to work with the UK Government to introduce this kind of policy, and to ensure that island communities were protected.
For further information:
The Scottish Government’s Aviation Statement and policy: A review by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, August 2024, https://www.stopclimatechaos.scot/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Scottish-Governments-Aviation-Statement-and-policy_-A-review-by-Stop-Climate-Chaos-Scotland-August-2024.pdf
Aviation Strategy response, Transform Scotland, 2022, https://transform.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Aviation-Strategy-discussion-paper-Transform-Scotland-2022-01-21-1.pdf
Setting limits on flights, Stay Grounded, https://stay-grounded.org/setting-limits-on-flights/
