In contemporary society, some maintain that the arrival of affordable air travel has various advantages by popularizing travel overseas, while others reject this notion, believing that its detrimental impact outweighs the advantages. This essay will discuss both views and give reasons for my support of the former opinion.
On the one hand, advocates of cheap air travel claim that it brings innumerable disadvantages owing to its detrimental effects on the environment and high risk of delays. Firstly, airplanes consume huge amounts of fossil fuel, a nonrenewable source, and they also emit high levels of carbon dioxide, leading to various environmental issues such as ice melting in the North Pole or global warming. In addition, affordable air travel means that airplanes would be used more and increase the rate of global warming. For instance, some research shows that the amount of carbon dioxide from an airplane is 5 times higher than from a car, and if individuals keep using airplanes, human beings would be faced with the consequences of global warming sooner. Furthermore, popularizing travel by airplanes may increase the risk of delays in the airport due to the limited number of runways and airports in a country.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that cheap air travel is beneficial as it helps to promote other countries’ cultures and plays an important role in the economy. International air transport plays a vital role in economic growth, particularly in developing countries, unlocking their potential for trade and tourism. By facilitating tourism and trade, it contributes to economic growth, provides jobs, and increases revenues from taxes. For example, Vietnam is a country that has developed thanks to tourism due to its various tourist attractions that attract foreigners to Vietnam. Moreover, the popularization of international civil aviation can promote understanding among nations, allowing foreigners to experience a nation’s culture.
In conclusion, although air travel has both benefits and disadvantages, ultimately, keeping airplane ticket prices at a mid-range would help to allow individuals access to air travel and avoid the negative impacts of excessive air travel.