The Labour government is facing criticism for allocating nearly £3 million in taxpayer funds to a new initiative designed to reduce contrails, or vapor trails, left by passenger planes. The scheme, dubbed Operation Blue Skies, aims to minimize the climate impact of these trails by instructing pilots on Transatlantic routes to avoid specific atmospheric conditions conducive to their formation.
Ministers stated that the 30-month trial, set to begin later this year, will involve UK transport officials, air traffic controllers, the Met Office, and Google. Utilizing AI models and forecasting, the project will identify risks for contrail formation and advise pilots to adjust their altitude. Experts suggest that contrails can form clouds that trap heat, potentially contributing significantly to aviation's climate warming impact.
Aviation minister Keir Mather described the trial as a "world first," asserting that "small tweaks to flight paths over the Atlantic" could cut down on vapor trails. However, opponents have labeled the initiative a "gimmick" and a "waste" of public funds. Critics argue that altering flight paths could lead to increased jet fuel consumption, potentially driving up ticket prices. This concern is amplified by Labour's recent increase in air passenger duty.
Tory peer Lord Mackinlay criticized the scheme as "lunacy," predicting it would "add hugely to the price of every flight." Richard Tice, Reform UK’s Net Zero spokesman, echoed these sentiments, stating that ministers are "continuing to 'waste taxpayers' cash on daft Net Zero schemes."
Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith suggested the government should prioritize lowering the cost of flying, referencing Labour's hike in air passenger duty. He stated, "The public would rightly prefer this Government to focus on the things that actually affect the cost of flying."
Google is participating in the trial on a pro-bono basis, contributing an estimated £1.4 million in services, including AI research expertise, engineering time, and computing infrastructure. The trial will involve 20 to 40 test days each winter over the next two years, primarily focusing on flights entering the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area, a common route for flights between Europe and North America.