Aviation

Aviation, particularly the issue of airport expansion, is another issue that divides unions. For example, BFAWU and PCS support the anti-Heathrow airport expansion group, No 3rd Runway Coalition, a growing coalition of MPs, local councils, residents’ groups, unions and environmental organisations. The PCS aviation group has produced an alternative to Heathrow expansion (see PCS aviation group president Tahir Latif’s blog on the AirportWatch website).

Unite, on the other hand, supports the work of Sustainable Aviation: “a long term strategy which sets out the collective approach of UK aviation to tackling the challenge of ensuring a cleaner, quieter, smarter future for our industry”. In its response to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Building a zero-carbon economy call for evidence, the union says there are a number of significant actions the UK aviation sector could introduce to reduce emissions and improve air quality, including single engine taxiing and electric vehicles. It also reports that air framers and engine manufacturers are in competition to produce a hybrid electric passenger aircraft and eventually all-electric aircraft for use initially on domestic short haul routes.