Why flights to Spain could rise by £150

The CCC has advised the UK Government to adopt a “polluter‑pays” model for aviation. Under this framework, airlines, and ultimately passengers, would shoulder the costs of decarbonising the sector. These costs include:

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is far more expensive than traditional kerosene.

Carbon‑removal technologies to offset residual emissions.

Efficiency upgrades to aircraft and operations.

The committee argues that without these measures, major projects such as Heathrow’s proposed third runway cannot be compatible with the UK’s legally binding Net Zero 2050 target.

To bridge the gap, the CCC proposes a gradual fare increase of 6p–9p per mile by 2050, roughly equivalent to petrol duty, which would add £150 to a return trip to Spain and £400 to long‑haul destinations like New York.

What this means for holidaymakers

Industry leaders warn that these increases could price ordinary families out of foreign holidays, turning travel into “the preserve of the rich.

Jet2 has been particularly vocal, arguing that the proposals amount to “demand management” that deprives lower‑income travellers of their annual break.

The CCC counters that:

Half of people in England do not fly abroad at all,

The top 20% of earners take nearly 40% of flights,

And therefore, shifting costs onto frequent flyers is fairer than general taxation.

It also suggests that higher fares are necessary to curb aviation demand, which must fall by around 25% to meet climate targets.