Plane truths - Do the economic arguments for aviation growth really fly?

This report from nef (the new economics foundation) and the World Development Movement (WDM) examines the economic arguments for the aviation industry, assesses their worth and exposes the plain truths. It focuses on the relationship between aviation, tourism and development in poorer countries. Our conclusions are that: Growth in the aviation industry cannot be maintained if we are to make the cuts in UK emissions of between 80–90 per cent below 1990 levels we know are necessary; rail can replace air travel in key markets; Many of the claimed benefits of tourism to local people in developing nations are lost to international actors; In the UK (and globally) air travel remains the preserve of the wealthy. Hence more research and debate are needed because the economic case for growth advanced by the aviation industry is flimsy at best.