Charging frequent fliers more would be a “fair way” to tackle the impact of aviation on the planet, an environmentalist has argued.
The Government is pressing ahead with its promise to lift the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, which limits the number of passengers to 32 million every year.
According to the International Energy Agency, aviation accounted for 2.5% of the world’s carbon emissions in 2023 - despite the fact that the vast majority of humanity does not fly.
On Lunchtime Live, environmentalist Duncan Stewart said increasing the passenger cap was at odds with the country’s commitment to tackle climate change.
“Our greenhouse gas emissions are massive compared to what we have to achieve by 2030,” he said.
“The reduction of 51% is not happening and airlines are a major contributor to this.”
An aeroplane landing on the runway at Dublin Airport Ireland. Picture by: Alamy.com. Mr Stewart added that people in Ireland are “in denial” about the impact of aviation on the planet and that addressing climate change is a “major challenge” for all of humanity to tackle.
“We are not addressing it here in Ireland and airlines are a major cause,” he said.
“Of course, we’ve allowed up to 32 million people to go through Dublin Airport - which, in my view, is far too much.”
The EU has introduced legislation that requires the aviation industry to gradually increase the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel - which is a type of biofuel made from plant or animal materials, instead of fossil fuels.
The Commission believes airlines are “on track” to meet the target of using 2.5% SAF this year and increase that figure to 6% by the end of the decade.
However, Mr Stewart is sceptical and argued that increasing taxes on frequent fliers would be a “fair way” to cut emissions.
Aer Lingus planes at Dublin Airport. Picture by: Alamy.com. Also on the programme, hotelier Eoin Doyle argued that Ireland’s geography means the Government must do everything in its power to support the aviation industry.
“We have no European land borders,” he said.
“We have no intercity trains, we have no highways with all those cars going from the various European cities from one city to another.
“We’ve only one way in - short of very, very inferior ferry services.
“So, we’ve only one way to do it.”
Tourists in Kerry. Picture by: Alamy.com. He added that Ireland is “reliant on tourism” and visitors support the jobs of a large number of people.
“Our business network; everything is reliant on people paying to get into the country,” he said.
“If you don’t get them in, we won’t have a country, we won’t have an economy that can sustain employment and can sustain the social benefits that people paying tax bring into the country.”
Mr Doyle said that while everyone wants to reduce emissions, environmentalists should “find a better way of doing it” than reducing air travel.
“We’re an island nation,” he said.
“It’s the only way in and the only way out.”
Main image: Passengers wait to board a 'redeye' early morning flight at Dublin Airport. Picture by: Peter Titmuss / Alamy Stock Photo
