According to a public transport lobby group, airlines should be forced to provide “real travel times” for domestic flights.

The Better Transport (CBT) campaign is calling for the rule to be introduced as part of its Lesser Flights Charter aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.

Airline schedules do not include time at the airport before and after the flight, which can significantly increase the time of domestic trips.

For example, easyJet advertises flights between Birmingham and Edinburgh that take one hour and 10 minutes.

Most passengers making that journey will spend at least the same amount of time at airports.

CBT’s charter states: “Require airlines to provide passengers with actual travel time for domestic flights.”

The group also wants airlines to offer free train tickets to those who book international flights, to encourage them to travel to the airport by rail instead of car.

It calls on the Government to reverse the recent 50% cut in Air Passenger Tax on domestic flights and set a target to reduce the number of trips of which are made.

The UK aviation industry has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels is a key part of the industry’s efforts to meet the target, and development of zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft is also accelerating.

Norman Baker, CBT’s director of foreign affairs and former transport minister for the Lib Dem, said: “The Government’s strategy to achieve the net zero net aviation target builds on technological advancements that go back decades. , when we need to cut carbon emissions right now.

“The only way to do that is to have fewer flights. Our 10-point charter offers a way to instantly reduce the climate impact of aviation while boosting the rail market.”

An aviation source said many parts of the UK require domestic flights for business travel and essential connections, adding that three out of every five involve crossing the country. , there is no alternative railway.