CPRE believes that there are a number of fundamental problems with the assumptions used to justify the very significant increases in aviation that the Framework seeks to provide for. There is a pressing need for a further fundamental revision of forecasts for aviation, which are likely to mean at most a far lower rate of growth.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England welcomes reform to the Civil Aviation Authority’s objectives to ensure it safeguards the public interest in the use of airspace.  The CAA’s purpose should be to safeguard public interest as to how airspace is used rather than the more narrow issue of benefits for consumers of flights.

CPRE's evidence argues that aviation can be detrimental to England's tourism industry, causing a net job loss and particularly affecting the economy of rural areas. The submission calls for an independent review of Air Travel White Paper to achieve higher carbon reduction targets and take full account of social impacts on those dependent on domestic tourism, and the effect of noise pollution on health and tranquillity. Fairer taxation of aviation must tax planes not people, while funding investment in longer distance high speed services and sleeper trains.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) believes that the present laissez-faire approach to the use of airspace is unsustainable.  Action is required urgently to deal with the flaws in the present arrangements, which have developed in an uncoordinated manner and are based on outdated evidence.