Can't comment on the figures as I too do not know how they were arrived at.
However in general terms:
Many 'Green' groups have long been trying to get an aviation fuel tax, not just in the UK. Traditionally these groups have been associated with noise issues, biased towards commercial aviation.
There are growing numbers of pressure groups who are getting on the band wagon, from oranisations such as WWF, Friends of the Earth, CPRE, down to the local wiminz institute. Expect these carbon issues to be highlighted at a new runway/terminal/airport public enquiry near you!
The major players angle is that they want to minimize damage to the environment by aviation on a global scale, down to the more local issues of airport development.
For those of you who have commented that we already have pax taxes, you are correct, but they are exactly what they say they are on the tin. However cargo flights are not subject to these taxes for obvious reasons. So the proposals are a blanket coverage tax worldwide. Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that a government will not act unilaterally on this tax, bigger world events are proving this at this time. If it comes I suspect it will be an 'EMMISSIONS CHARGE' initially, note that a TAX would be difficult to introduce because of the Chicago Conventions (article 24), what impact this will have on 'tankering' sectors will be very interesting!
Reports I have seen have included such proposals as limiting the number of flights an individual can take, and capping demand by heavy taxation. One of the key concerns was the number of empty seats being flown duplicated routes. The impact such proposals could potentially have both for our industry, and the socio economic result on the flying public is intriguing indeed! For an idea on one of the 'angles' as puritan puts it, check;
www.sasig.org go to Technical reports and read 'Does Aviation Matter?'
