Aviation strategy questioned

(21 May 2008)

UK ministers have been advised to halt airport expansion until its impact is more fully understood.

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) concluded after a year's investigation that an independent inquiry is required.

The two bodies requested a thorough analysis of aviation's impact on climate change, the economic benefits of increased flying and how technology could be used to make growth more sustainable.

Hugh Raven, SDC commissioner, said: “Until some basic questions are answered, the UK cannot be in a position to make major decisions about the future of air travel.”

The Department of Transport has rejected the notion that further debate could clarify what Raven called “clashing government priorities across different departments and agencies”.