A juicy debate about air travel

Those kind folk at the Guardian Travel section often send out a mailing that, in between the discounts and the flowery reviews, can create a little interest on a Friday afternoon.

So here is the latest offering: a meaty debate sparked by an article written a week or so ago by respected environmental journalist George Monbiot.

Here he criticises government plans to increase runway capacity around the country, fuelled by a massive surge in air traffic that he argues will eventually create "Airstrip One” in the UK.

Keith Jowett, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, and British Air Transport Association secretary general, Roger Wiltshire, hit back with what is a pretty substantial attack on Monbiot.

It’s a good old fashioned slanging match between those from opposite ends of the spectrum, in terms of their view of the travel industry – and is well worth reading.

Kevin May, editor, Travolution