BRITAIN’S airport operators yesterday called on the Government to join a global deal to combat aviation emissions rather than impose its own measures, which would cost billions of pounds in revenues and thousands of jobs.

The Airport Operators’ Association (AOA), which includes Liverpool John Lennon airport owner Peel Airports Group, said a deal on emissions, to be discussed in Copenhagen next month, must be achieved ahead of a UK-only system.

The Association published its own report claiming average return air fares could soar 40%, from £258 to £360, by 2020 if growth in flying were restricted to just 1.5% a year, a measure touted as a UK-only alternative to an international emissions cap.

This is despite Department for Transport forecasts that by 2030 passenger demand in the UK will hit 434m flights – a 3% rise.

The AOA report also shows that raising Air Passenger Duty (APD) is an equally bad alternative to an international cap.

Bringing in a 5% a year “APD Escalator” would see a further £30 added to average return air fares by 2020.

This would come on top of APD rises just brought in by the Government and further increases fixed for next November. Yesterday’s rise sees APD on flights to Europe up from £10 to £12 and the USA from £40 to £60.

The report also claims that a UK-only regime would cost the economy up to £30bn a year by 2030, cost £15bn in contributions to the Exchequer and lead to 700,000 fewer jobs.

The aviation sector represents 1.5% of the UK economy, says the AOA, contributing £18.4bn and providing jobs for 234,000 people.

It adds that aviation’s capacity to create wealth has grown by 8.3%, in real terms, since 1995.

Peel Airports group deputy chief executive Neil Pakey said: “While the tax burden on aviation more than covers its environmental costs, airports need to continue to work hard with other parts of the aviation sector to realise a global deal on carbon emissions. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which aviation enters in 2012, is a hugely significant first step.”

AOA Chairman Ed Anderson said: “Aviation should be part of a low carbon future and a global sectoral approach is needed at Copenhagen.

“Aviation must grow sustainably within environmental limits and can be used to improve the performance of the wider economy by stimulating connectivity, trade and investment – which, in turn, creates wealth and jobs.”