Mayor U-turns on Gatwick expansion

Zack Polanski AM today pushed the Mayor to confirm his opposition to Gatwick expansion and called on him to support a frequent flyer levy to reduce excessive emissions from flights.

Mayor Polanksi siad, “it is time to stop all airport expansion – we cannot expect the planet to be safe with even just the levels of flights we saw before the pandemic, let alone an increase.

After years of supporting the expansion of Gatwick and writing to the Prime Minister in 2016, the Mayor recently said: “I fail to see how any airport expansion can be justified, being incompatible with achieving the UK’s net zero target”.

When asked about a frequent flyer levy to help bring emissions down and reach Government targets, the Mayor wanted to “reassure Londoners that we often do get on” when it comes to these ideas and said he is “more than happy’ to discuss them.”

Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said, “the Government’s plan to cut emissions from flights isn’t working, airlines are out of control, failing to meet even basic climate targets and marking their own homework.

“The Mayor has heard and acted upon green ideas on drugs and smart, fair, road user charging and now in opposing Gatwick expansion.

“We’ve come a long way since the Mayor said no to a frequent flyer levy in 2016. It is clearly the sensible next step to bring emissions down and we only have a few years to make a difference on the climate.”