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“It’s ridiculous that the most polluting mode of transport doesn’t pay fuel tax.”Photo: PA Images/Alamy
Your article (Why are flights in the UK so often cheaper than taking the train?, November 19) states: “It may still come as a surprise when boarding a plane appears to be a more cost-saving choice compared to taking the train.” I don’t think it surprises anyone considering we’ve all seen eye-popping prices for rail travel and been bombarded with adverts for £20 flights to Nice. We’ve all read the stories of people who flew from one British city to another via Mallorca or a similar location because it was cheaper than taking the train.
However, it is surprising that there is no tax on aviation fuel. I’m the director of the charity Flight Free UK and talk to lots of people about air travel. They are almost always shocked to discover that there is no tax on fuel.
Taxing aviation fuel is not the only answer to encouraging more people to choose low-carbon travel, but it is a start. It’s ridiculous that the most polluting form of transportation doesn’t pay a fuel tax, especially now that Rachel Reeves is talking about a tax on electric vehicles. When we’re looking for easy wins on sales, we just look at the air.
Anna Hughes
Director, Flight Free UK
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