It’s a discussion we’ve been having in my house lately–not that I really think air travel will become so rarified that it will once again be only for the wealthy. But an article in today’s Globe and Mail predicted the downfall of the discount airlines that have fueled the average person’s ability to be a citizen of the world, especially in Europe, where discount air travel is commonplace. It makes one think about your own travel habits and how they will be altered if air fare pops back up to what is likely its true value.
From an environmental perspective, it can only be a good thing, especially in the realm of business travel. If the average company has to think twice about airfare, hopefully it will mark a move toward a more conservative era of travel and fewer environmentally disastrous international meetings.
But on a more selfish note, what does that mean for us, the average person traveling for recreation? As my income has risen, my ability to travel has too, but only really becuase airfare has been so relatively inexpensive. Even though I know air travel is horrible for the environment, it hasn’t stopped any plans I’ve made since I’ve been financially able to do so. So maybe it will be market forces that come to environmental rescue–if the cost rises (within reason), the price will cause people to think twice, encouraging less frivolous air travel and less jet fuel burned.
