18 January 2005 - Taxpayers will be footing the bill for the new double-decker Airbus aircraft unveiled in France today for generations, a Green Party Euro-MP has warned.

As well as the heavily subsidized £7 bn already spent on development, the Airbus A380’s impact on public expenditure in the UK will run to millions throughout its commercial life, which could be more than 40 years, Caroline Lucas said today.

Dr Lucas, whose South-East England constituency includes Gatwick Airport – which is likely to serve as a regional hub for the A380, said: “The A380 has been designed with low-cost aviation in mind – it ‘represents the pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap’ philosophy of the out-of-town superstore.

“The trouble is someone’s got to pay – and, as usual where aviation is concerned, the ultimate price will be paid by the taxpayer left to foot the bill for the social and environmental impact of the pollution, congestion, airport expansion and climate chaos it will bring.”

The A380 will carry up to 800 passengers and has been credited with creating jobs and boosting the EU’s economy.

Dr Lucas added: “In fact most of the jobs created by the A380 over the next generation will be in the health and environmental sectors cleaning up its mess. Tony Blair has today tried to bask in the glory of its unveiling – but the truth is he has wasted public money that would have been better invested in sustainable public transport and renewable energy production.

“His zeal for the project undermines his stated enthusiasm for tackling climate change – and he should be hanging his head in shame.”

ENDS