No 21: Too many flights over our homes
There are too many flights over our homes. That is the biggest problem for communities. And it is a persistent problem. The noise from the flights can be reduced by the use of less noisy planes and better operational practices. But, as the number of flights have grown in recent decades, the number of flights passing overhead has become the biggest problem for communities.
It can de dealt with by reducing the number of flights allowed to use an airport (as Schiphol is trying to do), by alternating flight paths (as happens at Heathrow in areas close to the airport when planes are landing) or replacement airports can be built away from areas of population.
But doing nothing should not be an option. Aviation can thrive and still allow most communities a break from the noise. It should be a priority.
24 September 2024
No 22: Comparing the cost of air and rail travel
I wanted to compare the cost of air and rail travel. So I pretended I was going on holiday. I settled on a short break in Barcelona before the British winter sets in.
I looked at the cost of getting from London to Barcelona by plane and by train. I booked a month in advance. Depart Monday 28th October. Return Thursday 31st October.
Plane
The cheapest return flight was £ 170 (€ 204). But it would have got me into Barcelona after midnight.
So I decided to pay a bit more: £ 192 (€ 230) return.
Monday: Leave London Gatwick 10.10 Arrive Barcelona 13.15
Thursday: Leave Barcelona 10.45 Arrive London Luton 12.10
Train
I then looked at train prices.
£ 718.59 (€ 860) return
Monday: Leave London 9.31 Arrive Barcelona 21.27
Thursday: Leave Barcelona 8.19 Arrive London 18.57
If I had been prepared to travel overnight the train fare would have been around £ 600 (€ 718) return.
Comment
The train fare from England is higher than it would be from most other European countries because of the very high Eurostar fares, but the difference between air and rail remains huge. There is a strong case for European countries to tax aircraft fuel and use the money to reduce train fares.
30 September 2024