'Twisted economics': UK trains four times more expensive than planes

Cecilia Keating
clock • 4 min read
'Twisted economics': UK trains four times more expensive than planes

New Greenpeace analysis reveals how regulations across Europe are incentivising travel by plane, despite flying being five times more polluting than train travel - and the UK is one of the worst offenders

The cost difference between travelling on a low-carbon train or an emisisons-intensive flight is more acute in the UK than it is in any other country in Europe, new research has revealed. A report published...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Aviation

Report: Airlines risk 'locking in fossil fuel assets' by relying too heavily on SAFs

Report: Airlines risk 'locking in fossil fuel assets' by relying too heavily on SAFs

Carbon Tracker warns aviation industry is relying on 'problematic' SAFs to deliver emissions cuts while failing to invest in battery or hydrogen technologies

Michael Holder
clock 19 June 2025 • 4 min read
How global SAF demand is surging - but cost and supply chain turbulence awaits

How global SAF demand is surging - but cost and supply chain turbulence awaits

Global demand for bio-based Sustainable Aviation Fuels is set to double once again this year - but the sector is still only meeting a fraction of jet fuel demand, according to BloombergNEF

Michael Holder
clock 18 June 2025 • 10 min read
Government confirms over £250m to support green aerospace projects

Government confirms over £250m to support green aerospace projects

Latest R&D grants awarded, as Ministers confirm long term funding is to be made available for low carbon aviation projects through upcoming Industrial Strategy

James Murray
clock 17 June 2025 • 3 min read