Time for a frequent flyer tax to support public transport
The Scottish Greens are calling for the wealthiest frequent flyers to pay more to protect the planet and cut the cost of trains and buses.
The party wants to introduce a Frequent Flyer Levy that would see those who fly the most paying more, with the money raised invested in cheaper and greener alternatives.
Research by the Scottish Trades Union Congress shows that a levy could raise around £50 million a year in Scotland.
Replacing the Air Departure Tax with a progressive Frequent Flyer Levy, forms part of the Scottish Greens’ wider commitment to taxing wealth rather than work. Through progressive measures like this Scotland can cut pollution and use the money raised to improve public services, including expanding free bus travel to everyone in Scotland and making rail journeys cheaper.
This would include an exemption for lifeline flights to Scotland’s islands.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said:
“The Scottish Greens believe in taxing wealth, and protecting our planet. A Frequent Flyer Levy would allow us to do both of those, while cutting the cost of public transport and investing in services that communities across Scotland urgently need.
“Right now, someone who flies once a year to visit family or go on holiday is taxed in much the same way as a wealthy business traveller who flies every other week.
“That simply isn’t fair. The wealthiest frequent flyers are also responsible for a hugely disproportionate amount of aviation pollution. It is only right that those who fly the most and can afford to pay the most contribute more.
“The STUC has estimated that this tax could raise an extra £50 million every year, which could be invested in cheaper train tickets, better public transport and continuing to cut the cost of bus travel until we have a service that is free for everyone in Scotland.
“With public finances under pressure, the answer cannot be to ask ordinary working people to pay more or accept cuts to the services they rely on. A fairer tax system should protect ordinary holidaymakers, tackle aviation pollution and raise money for affordable green travel.
“The Scottish Greens have already secured a commitment to higher taxes on private jets and rolling out the £2 bus fare cap across Scotland. By asking the wealthiest flyers to pay a bit more we can invest more in the public transport that people need and build a fairer, greener Scotland.”