Regional airports 'can help reduce carbon emissions'

The use of regional airports can help to lower the air travel industry's carbon emissions, according to one expert.

Chris Goater of the Airport Operators Association said that by using local airports passengers can reduce carbon emissions simply by driving a shorter distance to the hub than they would if they opted for a bigger airport that was further away.

He added that regional airports can work with airlines and traffic control to become more environmentally-friendly through a number of different ways.

"We have to deal with them together; looking at new technology, new ways of operating aircraft, getting people to airports by public transport and all these things are going to help reduce the carbon emissions for the whole business of flying," Mr Goater explained.

A recent survey by the Civil Aviation Authority found that the number of holidaymakers using regional airports in the UK rose to 98 million last year from 95 million in 2005.

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