The Scottish National Party (SNP) has been criticised for a new aviation strategy that simultaneously calls for a reduction in aviation emissions and an increase in flight connections. The plan, released by Transport Scotland, has been dismissed as 'hot air' by opposition parties and environmental groups.
The strategy, titled 'Aviation Vision for Scotland', stresses the importance of the aviation industry but says its environmental impact must be reduced. It aims to 'continually improve Scotland's international connectivity to key markets' while cutting emissions compared to 2019 levels by the 2030s and achieving net-zero by 2045.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie accused the government of 'trying to have it both ways on aviation, pretending they can get lower emissions with more flights'. He added: 'The only way to reduce the damage done by aviation is to cut the demand for flights, anything else is simply hot air and environmental window dressing.'
Airport leaders, including AGS Airports which operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said they need 'concrete actions' to improve connectivity and cut emissions, stressing that Scotland must not be at a 'competitive disadvantage'. Scottish Labour business spokesman Daniel Johnson said the industry would be 'disappointed both by the lack of ambition and the lack of coherent deliverables'.
The strategy also proposes a review of the air discount scheme for Highlands and Islands airports, which could raise costs for passengers, and more efficient operations at Highlands and Islands Airport Limited. However, it makes no mention of the SNP's previous support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, which Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesman Willie Rennie described as 'irresponsible' given the emissions such expansion would cause.
Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie defended the strategy, saying it 'sets out, for the first time, the strategic importance of aviation to Scotland and the specific actions we will take to help ensure we can continue to enjoy its many benefits, while significantly reducing emissions'.
