The Guardian reports today that the government has launched an outspoken attack on major airlines for refusing to take climate change seriously, branding Ryanair "the irresponsible face of capitalism" and describing the attitude of major American airlines "a disgrace".
Environment minister, Ian Pearson is spot on to criticise Michael O'Leary for his belligerent attitude towards climate change. However, in the last 20 years O'Leary has worked his socks off to create a thriving business on the back of a low cost fare structure. For 18 of the those years, he had the full support of the UK government. That's all changed now and O'Leary is not going to be pushed out of business quietly.
As late as 2003, the government brushed aside vociferous arguments against airport expansion on the grounds of climate change. (
FOE press release.)
O'Leary deserves our sympathy but he also deserves compensation from a government that has failed to give consistent signals on climate change; the fuel tax accelerator being another example.
O'Leary does not have Richard Branson's foresight. Back in 1998, Branson was investing in the
West Coast main line upgrade; one of the businesses that will benefit from high aviation taxes.
The version printed in the Guardian letters
