(Image: PA)
The Scottish Greens have called for a new tax on frequent flyers.
Speaking ahead of her party’s conference in Inverness, Gillian Mackay said funds from the fee would go towards cheaper fares on trains and buses.
The co-leader said a frequent flyer levy would also help protect the planet from emissions.
According to the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), such a policy could raise around £50 million a year in Scotland.
The Greens said their plans would include an exemption for lifeline flights to Scotland’s islands.
Ms Mackay wants the air departure tax to be replaced with a progressive tax and said it forms part of her party’s wider commitments to taxing wealth rather than work.
Gillian Mackay said funds from the fee would go towards cheaper fares on trains and buses. (Image: PA)
“The Scottish Greens believe in taxing wealth, and protecting our planet,” she said.
“A frequent flyer levy would allow us to do both of those, while cutting the cost of public transport and investing in services that communities across Scotland urgently need.”
Ms Mackay said it was “simply not fair” that someone who flies once a year to visit family or go on holiday was taxed “much the same way as a wealthy business traveller who flies every other week”.
She said the wealthiest frequent flyers were responsible for a “hugely disproportionate” amount of aviation pollution.
Ms Mackay said it was “only right that those who fly the most and can afford to pay the most contribute more”.
She went on: “The STUC has estimated that this tax could raise an extra £50 million every year, which could be invested in cheaper train tickets, better public transport and continuing to cut the cost of bus travel until we have a service that is free for everyone in Scotland.
“With public finances under pressure, the answer cannot be to ask ordinary working people to pay more or accept cuts to the services they rely on.
“A fairer tax system should protect ordinary holidaymakers, tackle aviation pollution and raise money for affordable green travel.
“The Scottish Greens have already secured a commitment to higher taxes on private jets and rolling out the £2 bus fare cap across Scotland.
“By asking the wealthiest flyers to pay a bit more we can invest more in the public transport that people need and build a fairer, greener Scotland.”
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A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is introducing a private jet tax from April 2028 to ensure those who choose to use private jets pay their fair share.
“Air departure tax rates – including those for private jets – will be set out at the Scottish Budget on December 3 2026.”