Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy has criticised the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s call for the introduction of policies to reduce aviation demand, saying to do so would deprive less well-off people of their holidays.
He was speaking in response to the CCC’s announcement yesterday that there is currently no credible pathway for Heathrow expansion within the UK’s climate commitments.
The CCC is an independent, statutory public body that advises the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and reports to Parliament on climate change.
It said aviation is ‘falling behind the rest of the economy on decarbonisation’, adding expansion could only be compatible with the UK’s carbon budgets and Net Zero target if ministers introduce policies requiring aviation to reach zero emissions by 2050.
It said the Government and industry needed to ‘manage growth in demand’. which it estimates would contribute to 24% of emissions reductions by 2025.
“Limiting airport capacity,” it added, “would likely lead to an increase in costs for consumers, which would help moderate demand growth.”
The committee also said the aviation industry should ultimately bear the full cost of decarbonisation, with those costs phased in from now.
CCC chair Nigel Topping said yesterday: “Our advice today is clear – Heathrow expansion is not currently compatible with the UK’s Net Zero target.”
He added that the Government needs to ensure aviation ‘takes responsibility for the emissions it creates and bears the costs of decarbonisation’.
But Steve said there is a risk that the less well-off would not be able to afford to fly.
He said: “The Climate Change Committee 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.”
The CCC also said that if airport expansion is permitted, the commercial risks arising from future aviation demand should sit with investors rather than consumers.
