SIR RICHARD BRANSON is calling a meeting of leaders of the aviation industry today amid fears that airlines could become the “whipping boys” of the environmental movement, The Times has learnt.

The airline industry is under particular scrutiny because of the rapid growth in air transport. Aircraft now account for 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, but this is forecast to rise to 6 per cent by 2050.

While nearly every other industry, from power generation to automobiles will cut its share of CO2 emissions by 2050, aviation is growing too rapidly to achieve this.

The industry hopes that by making its own changes it will avoid the imposition of a carbon tax, likely to be about £15 per ticket, analysts said.

The meeting will bring together 34 members of the industry including representatives of airlines such as BMI and aircraft makers including Boeing. However, Virgin’s long-time rival, British Airways, has decided not to attend.

Among the ideas being put forward is towing planes out to runways, rather than idling on taxiways. Sir Richard is also investing £1.6 billion to create a biofuel alternative to oil-based kerosene.

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