"In a marked change of emphasis from previous government statements, Adonis (the British Transport Minister) told the Guardian: “I would like to see short-haul aviation – not just domestic aviation, but short-haul aviation – progressively replaced by rail, including high-speed rail.” Given the UK’s commitment to a greenhouse gas reduction of 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, Adonis said rail should take priority over air travel, reports the newspaper. (Aug 5, 2009m http://www.aef.org.uk/?p=803

and From "clearing the Air: T&E (European Federation for Transport and Environment.
http://www.transportenvironment.org/Pages/aviation/

"aviation has by far the greatest climate impact of any transport
mode, whether measured per passenger kilometre, per tonne kilometre, per $ spent, or per hour spent

"aviation is overwhelmingly an activity of the richest elements of society, measures to combat the environmental impact of aviation would not adversely impact the poor"

Laura