Energy saving targets imposed on the air travel industry are being damaged by government plans to increase the size of airports.

This is the view of John Stewart, spokesman for campaign group the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise, who said: "Airport expansion should be brought to an end.

"The government is trying to have its cake and eat it. It is trying to cut emissions and [expand] airports. It can't do both," he added.

His comments were made after easyJet called for tough, mandatory targets on emissions reductions, which would see the next generation of aircraft produce 40 per cent less carbon.

Every new plane type should meet the efficiency levels outlined by easyJet in six years' time, the operator explained.

Furthermore, by 2024 airlines would not be allowed to add any planes to their fleets which did not measure up to the regulations, while six years later no airline could use an aircraft which failed to match the requirements.