Bail out Britain not Branson

IN the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the aviation industry is lobbying hard for public bailouts.

Yet, a Freedom of Information Act request by Unearthed, Greenpeace’s investigations unit, revealed the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, promised EasyJet that green taxes would not be levied on airlines six months before the company was given a £600m coronavirus crisis loan with no environmental conditions attached (Guardian, April 30).

The list of offenders goes on - Virgin Atlantic owner Richard Branson is worth £4.2bn - and yet he’s asking the Government for £500m, and his staff to take unpaid leave. A few weeks ago, EasyJet distributed £174m to shareholders, and is now also asking staff to take unpaid leave.

What’s more, aviation is virtually the only sector which refuses to reduce its overall emissions, and its plans for continuing growth jeopardise the UK’s ability to meet our climate commitments.

The airlines themselves seem to be impervious to the impact of Covid19, whilst workers suffer.

Greenpeace Cardiff Local Group, alongside climate action charity Possible, is calling for any state support for airlines to include conditions to:

■ Protect workers so there are no pay cuts or lay-offs due to the Covid-19 crisis;

■ Protect the climate – the airlines need to start cutting their emissions to meet the globally agreed climate targets, without relying on carbon offsetting;

Ensure airlines pay their fair share of taxes in the future, for example by introducing a Frequent Flyer Levy so that those who fly the most, pay the most.

In Cardiff, the fewer planes going overhead coupled with far fewer cars on the road, and the cleaner air is a good reminder of how much more peaceful and pleasant the world could be if we reduce the amount we fly. However, a return to ‘business as usual’ could wipe out hopes of this way of living in a matter of weeks.

That’s why Greenpeace Cardiff calls on our local MPs Jo Stevens, Anna McMorrin, Stephen Doughty and Kevin Brennan to write to the Chancellor and call for these conditions to be attached to any bailouts.

Right now, people are understandably doing everything they can to protect each other and support NHS and other workers on the frontline. But once we’re through this, the climate and nature emergencies will remain. Let’s make sure that the government’s response to this awful health crisis also helps to create green, sustainable jobs and decarbonise our economy.

Clare James Penylan, Cardiff