Highlands and Islands Enterprise commissioned this independent research which was undertaken by Environmental Resources Management between June and August 2003. The overall objective of the study was to quantify the environment impacts of aviation in terms of carbon emissions, local air quality and noise pollution.

The research examined all scheduled services operating to and from airports in the region, and was able to provide estimates of the total environmental cost of aviation in the Highlands and Islands, as well as for individual routes.

The full report is available in downloadable pdf format.

HIE calls for balanced approach to environmental charging for air travel The impact on the environment of all flights in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland each year is less than the effect of just one day's air traffic between the UK and the USA, according to a new report by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).