UK climate activist group, Possible (wearepossible.org), believes that airline frequent flyer programmes are responsible for a great deal of the pollution caused by aircraft emitting carbon, and that FFPs should be abolished for any airlines that operate in the UK.
These FFPs reflect ‘the real cost of flying’ for the global climate.
The report discussed the emissions associated with the different levels of membership in the FFPs offered by two UK airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The report says FFPs are a key part of the business model of ‘full-service’ airlines, driving not just ticket sales, but increased flight provision. Furthermore, FFPs increase emissions by incentivising the most carbon-intensive seating options and encouraging additional flights.
Gaining or keeping ‘elite status’ in FFPs requires exceptionally large air travel carbon footprints, up to more than 90 tonnes each year for higher levels.
‘Gold Status’ with either airline means taking flights that emit an average of 27 tonnes of carbon per person annually – over 33 times higher than the average UK individual air travel footprint.
Lifetime membership status can require a carbon footprint of more than 1 800 tonnes of emissions per person for the highest status level. The CO₂ emissions of this is 34 times the lifetime per person share of the remaining carbon budget for a 50% chance of limiting global warming to 1,5C.
Possible wants the immediate abolition of FFPs for airlines operating in the UK. It also calls for the introduction of a frequent flyer levy and a kerosene tax, saying that these measures would help to reduce excessive, wasteful consumption of high-carbon travel by “a small group of people”, and the tax on jet fuel would help reflect the climate damage caused by aviation emissions.
Alethea Warrington, senior campaigner at Possible, says: “We need urgent action to protect the climate, but frequent flyer reward programmes are sending emissions soaring in the wrong direction. Airlines are incentivising a small group of incredibly frequent flyers to take flights they don’t even want, just to get points – while people around the world pay the real price as they face dangerous heatwaves and out-of-control wildfires. Airlines need to end this irresponsible behaviour, and stop awarding points for pollution.”
