Environment unfriendly airlines to face charges in UK

Airlines that fail to upgrade their fleets to more environmentally friendly aircraft could be facing increased charges from airport operators, said the UK Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

Speaking today at the release of the government's White Paper on the future of air transport, Darling said it was time for the industry to start meeting "the external costs that it imposes" and that the government is looking at legislation and emissions trading within EU guidelines to combat pollution and noise.

The report also states that airports with more than 50,000 takeoffs and landings a year will be expected to offer some financial assistance towards relocation costs to households in high noise areas.