The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the Government's independent climate advisers, has said flight prices should rise by hundreds of pounds to curb demand for air travel as part of efforts to meet the UK's 2050 Net Zero target. The committee argued that the aviation industry should bear the costs of reducing its emissions under a "polluter pays" model, warning that there is currently "no credible pathway" to expanding Heathrow with a third runway without cutting emissions, and that the UK lacks a credible plan to bring down flying-related pollution.

Under the proposals, ticket prices could rise by 6p to 9p per mile by 2050, adding around £150 to a return flight to Alicante and pushing the cost up by £600 for a family of four; a return trip to New York could rise by £400, or £1,600 for a family of four. The CCC estimated such increases could cut flight demand by 25%, and suggested a frequent flyer levy while exempting domestic flights. Airlines UK criticised the plan as pricing "Britain out of the skies," while the CCC's chairman, Nigel Topping, noted aviation emissions have doubled since 1990 and that Heathrow accounts for about half the sector's emissions. The Department for Transport said any expansion must align with Net Zero targets, citing £219 million invested in sustainable aviation fuel.