Three out of ten people would be put off flying to and from France if a green tax was introduced on low-cost airfares, instead opting for ferries or the channel tunnel.
The impact on peoples’ wallets is sadly more of an issue than the impact air travel is having on the environment, putting more pressure on airlines to hike their taxes or offset their carbon emissions in a move to combat the damaging environmental effects of their business.
The general consensus though is to carry on regardless after 79 per cent of French homeowners and travellers said that they would not stop using low-cost airlines even though they know the damaging effects they have on the environment, whilst another 61 per cent didn’t seem bothered about a green tax and wouldn’t change their behaviour as a result.
Travelling by car is the most popular alternative. Only 16 per cent would take a train instead, while the remaining 6 per cent would find an alternative mode of transport.
The slashing of low cost airfares to Europe has had a big impact on the number of Brits looking for a second home abroad, especially in nearby France. For 67 per cent of French homeowners surveyed by FrenchEntreé.com, their home’s proximity to a regional airport was a big plus with 40 per cent buying their home exclusively on this basis.
A mere three per cent of people would be less likely to holiday in France because of global warming, however this rises to 18 per cent where a green tax on their journey is concerned.
“Given the constant publicity about the impact of low-cost flights on the environment, it is interesting to see that it has so little effect on people’s travel plans, and that it is the age-old issue of money that talks loudest,” said Michael Streeter, property editor of FrenchEntrée.com. “Instead what comes out most strongly is that for the vast majority, the joys of la belle vie in France overcome any concerns about extra taxes or global warming.”
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