Representation by Robert Leathley
- Date submitted
- 15 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Expansion of airport capacity and flights at Gatwick is fundamentally the wrong direction to be taking given the climate emergency. There is no credible way with current or envisioned technology for the industry to sufficiently reduce its effect on global warming given the scale of current aviation, and even without further expansion. Given the seriousness of the consequences, this should not go ahead based on unrealistic promises and wishful thinking. Rather than increasing flights, we should be replacing domestic flights with train journeys and reducing business travel. This should negate any need for expansion. In addition to the climate implications, there would be significant impacts in noise and air pollution, both directly from the flights and from transport to the airport.