The aviation section of this report assumes most flyers live in London, is selective with its use of research information, and ignores the realities of life.

In respect of short-haul flying, it assumes that a ready and waiting train service is waiting to whisk one off to the short-haul destination of choice, here in the UK, or in continental Europe. That is a myth.

Travellers living in central London may have a great choice of rail opportunities, and there is no doubt that many of them use them. However, one does not have to live too far out of the capital before rail is simply not an option.

Easy examples are journeys from Reading to Newcastle, and to Manchester for 0930 meetings. The railway options do not provide a schedule to suit. The practical alternative is to fly to to both cities, in a much shorter time, with a range of suitable schedules for the return journey.

The reality of life:
Air travel offers products and availabilty that rail often doesn't; the public will choose what is most practical.

The report also claims that it is 40% more efficient to fly a 15000km journey in three stages, rather than non-stop; that claim is simply misleading.

All the caveats that apply to this statement have been omitted.

Those caveats included the lack of suitable refuelling points on Great Circle routes, that smaller aircraft would be required, and that 'any fuel savings have to be seen in the wider environmental and social context including, for example, the impact on infrastructure, noise and local emissions.'

The reality of life:
Ceasing non-stop long-haul flights would require many more flight by smaller aircraft, lead to three times as many landings and take-offs, and even more airport congestion, the very opposite of what is sought.

This report has not been fully thought through, and it is very unclear what direct research and discussion was undertaken with the aviation industry.

Aviation has a distinct role and responsibility to play in handling environmental matters. It has been engaged in doing so for many years, and looks forward to doing so in the very challenging times ahead.

For editors:
BAR UK represents 96 scheduled airlines in this country in their dealings with Government, Government departments, regulators and airport operators. Full details of its work, and the Board, can be found at www.bar-uk.org.

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