The unequal flight: Policy design and public support for carbon taxation of air travel

Abstract

Air travel is a rapidly growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, yet policies to curb demand have remained politically contentious. We examine how policy designs and individual characteristics shape support for a carbon tax on air travel in Denmark. Using a preregistered discrete-choice experiment ( N = 1000), with an intentional oversample of high-income individuals, respondents evaluated air travel tax policies varying in tax level, revenue use, and frequent-flyer levy. Information about air travel and its climate impact was randomly assigned. Overall support was modest and highly sensitive to policy design. Higher tax levels substantially reduced support, whereas earmarking revenues for green initiatives increased it. Climate concern strongly predicted support for stringent and progressive designs, while it was lower among high-income individuals and frequent flyers. The information treatment had no significant effect on overall policy support. However, respondents for whom the information was novel expressed greater support. The treatment also increased the preference for policy designs that included a frequent-flyer levy.