British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are burying their quite considerable hatchet and uniting to protest at being blamed for climate change by politicians and environmental groups.
Former CBI Director General, Sir Digby Jones, is reported to be leading the Aviation Forum, which was set up by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and also features the likes of engine manufacturer Rolls Royce, British Travel Agent groups, travel trade unions, Visit Britain, BAA and easyJet.
The forum will meet this week to discuss climate change and the airline industry’s response to it, and will act as a lobbying body in an attempt to improve its image in the eyes of press and politicians alike.
British Airways joined after saying last year that it didn’t feel that there was any need to get involved with the pressure group. “Clearly aviation’s impact on the environment is a hugely important issue,” said a spokesperson for the airline in a statement released yesterday. “We have led the way on this in many ways over the past seven years and if the new body can assist the industry then we will want to be part of it.”
BA had previously been sceptical of Sir Richard’s proposals, which included towing aircraft around airports and altering flight paths. However, the constant criticism of the airline industry by environmental groups and the media may well have led them to change their minds.
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The biggest gas guzzlers of them all … planes. Branson no doubt has his own private plane or two. When your back is against the wall all you can do is fight. There is no room for aviation growth in the carbon constrained world we are now all in. We should all be aiming to fly less. It’s one of the biggest things each of us can do to reduce our personal carbon footprints. You can do a tonne of cool for free, right there.
Comment by MirrorMan — April 24, 2007 @ 10:45 am
I used to like Branson. However, this shows his true colours. The airlines have repeatedly showed that only making money matters no matter what the long term cost. Never mind…we’ll all be able to take a low cost trip to the antarctic to watch the last bit of ice melt while lincolnshire and London disappear under water.
Comment by Karl Royle — April 25, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Hmmm…I wrote that response before reading the other articles saying that Virgin is leading the way in biofuelled planes and fuel saving. Strange that he can be part of a consortium defending the airlines then!? Odd. Ah well…if he does what he promises in environmental investment then I’ll be happy to speak up for him.
Comment by Karl Royle — April 25, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
I think VA and BA are just tired of being the scapegoats for climate change. There’s nothing wrong with that. Airlines are NOT the biggest contributor per capita to GHG emissions in the UK. Household energy use personal transport (cars) and food miles are. It doesn’t mean that airlines shouldn’t be held accountable, but it does mean that we should all think about our everyday contribution that makes us climate sinners just like Branson.
Comment by Mike — April 30, 2007 @ 10:32 am
loveyou
Comment by Jake beamson — December 19, 2007 @ 2:15 pm