Would a ban on cheap flights help reduce the climate crisis or simply punish working people? 

January marks a month of sales for most airlines, with Irish company Ryanair advertising flights for as low as €14.99. 

Ecologist Padraic Fogarty, however, doesn’t think this is anything to celebrate. 

“I think selling flights for €10 or €15 is ridiculously cheap and a lot of people would agree,” he told Lunchtime Live.

“If it’s going to be cheaper to fly to Malaga than take the train from Dublin to Kerry, we know something is seriously wrong.” 

Mr Fogarty has called for some form of a ban on cheap flight tickets, noting aviation has had an “enormous environmental impact”. 

“Paying €13 for a plane ticket is a mockery of our efforts to reduce emissions and face up to the climate crisis,” he said. 

“It would be better if flights weren’t going out... they wouldn’t be flying if there wasn’t demand.” 

The ecologist also noted that farmers in Ireland must reduce emissions by 25% at the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Dublin Airport plans to expand operations by the end of the decade. 

“We can’t pretend that we are dealing with the climate crisis if it’s going to be so unfair that we’re putting a whole sector against the wall while allowing a free-for-all in the flying domain.” 

Decarbonise or close down?

Travel commentator Eoghan Corry said in many climate debates, “everything gets thrown at aviation”. 

“About one-third of your fare is going to taxes,” he said. “Airlines are heavily taxed.” 

He also pointed out that few flights are as cheap as €15 as there are changes in price throughout the year. 

“The economics of aviation are when you put little incentives to book earlier or at certain times for cash flow,” he said. 

Mr Corry also argued that airlines are “on course to zero by 2050”. 

“Aviation is 3% of global emissions,” he said. “Do we want to decarbonise [aviation] or close it down?” 

Cheap flights for working people

Patrick rang the show to point out that before cheap flights when aviation was first introduced, it was a luxury for the rich. 

“We know that travel enhances and enriches lives in many ways, encountering other cultures,” he said. 

“[Mr Fogarty] wants to cut out the working people from ever having a chance of flying. 

“It’s more efficient having a full plane going to Malaga than a half plane.” 

According to Eurostat, in the last three months of 2022, Irish airlines accounted for 2% to 3% of gas emissions.

Listen back here: