Would a flights ban be progress or cruelty?

I HAVE never read such a callous response as John Bowyer’s (Letters) about banning flying. Yes, we can talk to our families abroad over the internet but it’s not the same as hugging them. Also, if we ban all fossil fuel products, we’ll be lucky if there is enough electricity to power our computers! As for his dismissal of those who would lose their jobs, I struggle to find words. And yes, we should produce our own food and goods — but we ditched manufacturing many years ago in favour of Chinese imports. GReGORY BROWN, east Barnet, Herts.

THOSe who call for a ban on air travel should spare a thought for countries such as the Maldives and the Seychelles, whose economies depend heavily on tourism. The Maldives, for instance, relies on tourism for almost a third of its revenues — and the tourists arrive there by plane. Saving the planet by making poor people poorer is not a universally attractive proposition.

MIKe HORGAN, Heswall, Wirral. HOW dare anyone think speaking to my daughter and grandchildren on the internet could ever replace a hug? We only get to hold our loved ones, who live on the far side

of the world, every other year and I work hard to preserve the planet for the next generation. LYNNe BROWN, Gravesend, Kent.

JOHN BOWYeR remarked on the thousands of aircraft continually spewing out pollution. The other morning, at 10.30am, National air Traffic Services confirmed that 756 planes were airborne in UK airspace. Flights handled the previous day totalled 6,130. Welcome to the end of the world: please fly carefully. even better, remain firmly grounded and avoid polluting your children and grandchildren’s breathing space.