Rachel Reeves’ plan for Heathrow could hike flight prices by £40, raising concerns about the impact on travelers and the environment.
London: Rachel Reeves has a new plan for Heathrow Airport. She thinks expanding it will help the economy. But there’s a catch. It could make flights more expensive.
According to a Treasury report, the cost of flying could go up by about £40. This is mainly due to using sustainable aviation fuels. These fuels are meant to help the environment but come with a price tag.
By 2040, the average economy ticket could rise by nearly £38. This increase will affect everyone, not just those flying first class. The report says that 75% of the costs will fall on passengers.
Reeves plans to talk about this in a speech next week. She’ll also mention the need for a third runway at Heathrow and expansions at Gatwick and Luton.
However, not everyone is on board. Environmental groups and some Labour leaders, like Sadiq Khan and Ed Miliband, are against the expansion. They worry it could break the UK’s carbon budget.
At a recent event, the Chancellor was asked about these concerns. She pointed out that past governments often said “no” to growth. She believes it’s time to prioritize economic growth.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer didn’t comment directly on the Heathrow plans. But he did say the government is committed to growth and climate responsibilities.
EasyJet’s CEO, Kenton Jarvis, supports the government’s move. He believes aviation is key to economic growth. It seems like this debate is just getting started.
