UK tourists have been warned they could face a £150 hike on flights to a popular holiday destination under new Net Zero proposals. The Climate Change Committee (CCC), a Government advisory body, said steeper taxes would need to be introduced to ensure the aviation sector covers its own decarbonisation costs if major infrastructure projects like the Heathrow Airport expansion go ahead.
British holidaymakers could see ticket price increases of around £150 for a return flight to Spain, rising to around £400 for a round-trip to the US, as per the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The CCC said plans to build a third runway at Heathrow were "not currently compatible" with Britain's legal target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Polluter-pays framework recommended
The CCC has recommended the Government roll out a "polluter-pays" framework, forcing aviation firms to pay for carbon-removal technologies and cleaner energy alternatives. The body has warned that airlines will pass costs directly onto customers, with an expected financial impact of up to 9p per mile, phased in over the next 25 years.
The increase would be "similar to fuel duty on petrol and diesel today", the CCC said.
Industry criticism and support
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, has criticised the proposal. He said: "The CCC refer to 'demand management' in their report, but let's call it what it really is: depriving the least well off of their hard-earned and well-deserved holidays."
"These punitive tax regimes would make foreign travel the preserve of only those with the deepest pockets," he added.
Committee officials pointed to citizens panels it had consulted, which showed greater support for holding the aviation sector responsible for the cost of tackling emissions, rather than adding it to general taxation.
Emissions growth since 1990
CCC chairman Nigel Topping said UK emissions from flying had doubled in the UK since 1990, even as overall climate pollution dropped by half. "Ultimately, the polluter pays principle must apply," he added. "If aviation is to grow, it must take responsibility for the emissions it creates."
