Travel insurance: Branson to help environment

Wednesday, 06 December 2006

Virgin tycoon Richard Branson has announced some innovative technology which could see aeroplanes being towed to runways.

Virgin Atlantic, the aviation offshoot of the Virgin behemoth, announced on Monday that starting grids will be trialled where planes are towed from their stands to the grids, or holding areas, before taking off as usual.

The use of these grids saves two tonnes of fuel per flight which helps the environment because there are fewer CO2 emissions as well as cutting down on noise pollution for nearby communities.

However another airline called the idea "a gimmick".

Tim Jeans, managing director of Monarch airlines, said: "In terms of the logistics, the time and the manpower, the cost – you wouldn't save anything because of the number of tug drivers and extra tugs you would need to have.

He explained that tugs are used every ten minutes but if you have to tow an aircraft down to the far end of a runway, it might be an hour before the tug returns and therefore more tugs and tug drivers are required - adding to an airline's costs.

Whatever the environmental costs of air travel, you can cut the financial costs of travelling by shopping around for cheap travel insurance.

© Adfero Ltd

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