The airport currently has approximately 4.5 million passenger movements a year and they want to triple this number by 2030. The government, recognising the popularity of air travel, has said that "if we want to continue enjoying its benefits we have to increase capacity."
Mr. Williams said: "I oppose this unsustainable growth in local air traffic. We all know that we must act with urgency to combat climate change. Aviation is currently the least taxed, most lightly controlled form of transport. This situation must change and limiting any expansion of Bristol Airport will make an important contribution to a more sustainable future.
"Otherwise we face a situation that if all other sectors of the economy reduce energy use over the next period, this good work will be undone by a growth in aviation emissions. I believe that this approach is complete madness."
Mr. Williams replied to those who argue that expansion would bring economic benefits: "I do not accept this assertion. On the plus side, about 180,000 people nationwide are employed in the airport and airlines industry. Bristol's share is modest at about 2,500 employees. The trend in recent years is down as airlines automate their procedures and many of the remaining jobs are low paid. There is also a huge trade deficit in air travel. The latest Office of National Statistics figures (2004) show that UK citizens spent £30 billion on foreign holidays as against £13 billion spent by visitors to the UK. Aviation is thus an economic drain on our economy.
"There are of course important aerospace companies in the West Country. The industry is engaged in vital research and innovation to minimise the environmental impact. But it is my belief that lighter planes and more efficient engines should contribute to a sustainable future for the industry, rather than be an excuse for more growth."
The Liberal Democrats believe that aviation fuel should be taxed to the same extent as land travel fuel, arguing that the current air passenger duty offers no incentive for airlines to optimise their flight patterns. Their proposed plane tax would be set according to the emissions level of the plane's engines. Such a tax would incentivise airlines to fill their planes. There could be fewer flights but the same number of passengers overall.
The authority that will determine the Airport's planning application for an increase in traffic is North Somerset Council. Neither Bristol City Council nor any of Bristol's MPs have any formal role in this process.
