British MPs call for pollution tax on air travel

European air travellers should pay a ticket tax because of the pollution caused by the aircraft they use, says a group of British MPs.

Members of the environmental audit committee said emissions from aircraft operating in Britain cost the country £18 billion (about NZ$45 billion) a year and that aviation will account for 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

MPs say levies would be difficult to introduce without full European support.