EC transport chief warns on need to address aviation environment impact

Managing its environmental footprint is the air transport industry’s “number one challenge” in a world where people’s mind-sets and expectations are changing fast, the head of Europe’s transport ministry said. EC DG for mobility and transport Henrik Hololei said aviation emissions “had to come down” if the industry is to maintain its license to grow. “In Europe, we observe that people’s mind-set about that is changing very fast and, without the slightest doubt, public demand and societal expectations for cleaner and much more sustainable air transport will grow rapidly in the coming years,” he said. He noted that the term “flight shame,” started with a movement begun in Sweden, is spreading and pressures people to not fly. France has decided to introduce an environmental tax on all flights in response to the movement. <br/>