DISCOUNTED landing fees for airlines that use more sustainable aircraft or fuels are being considered by Ports of Jersey as part of its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality.
The States-owned entity has said it is “committed” to decarbonising operations at the Airport and Harbour, and to “driving sustainable behaviours” in operators.
The government recently published its Policy Framework for the Ports Sector, highlighting a series of goals intended to safeguard services, deliver investment in critical infrastructure and continue the development of the Island’s ports.
In a section about sustainability, the framework states that Ports should explore using tariffs “to support the transition to cleaner technologies for ferry and aviation services”.
Responding to questions from the JEP as to whether it would consider such tariffs, a spokesperson for Ports said: “We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are on the way to becoming one of the first airports in Britain to reach net zero by 2030. We are fully aligned with the objectives of the Policy Framework for the Ports Sector and will use our tariff structures to encourage the wider ports sector to come on this journey with us.”
Ports has also been working with aviation company Universal Hydrogen and Blue Islands to trial hydrogen-fuelled aircraft as a way of encouraging joint projects that test new technologies for fuel-efficient aviation.
Last year, the initiative saw a delegation of representatives from Ports of Jersey, Blue Islands, Jersey Electricity, ATF Fuels, the office of the director of civil aviation, the government and Ports’ development consultants, Mott Macdonald, visit an engineering and design facility in Toulouse.
“We want to use incentives and encouragement to bring all our aviation and maritime stakeholders with us on the road to sustainable travel,” the spokesperson said. “Other airports are discounting landing fees for airlines using more sustainable aircraft, or for airlines using sustainable aviation fuels. We will consider all such options. Our approach is to work collaboratively with partners across our industry to achieve our net-zero target.”
Taxing private jets
A “carbon tax” on private jets will be explored by the government to help fund the Island’s £300 million plans to hit net zero, following a successful amendment to the Government Plan. The amendment from the Council of Ministers highlighted a recent study that private aircraft can be up to 14 times more polluting than commercial jets. The potential tax forms part of the financial strategy for the government’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which outlines the Island’s strategy for reaching net-zero carbon emissions.
