[Mediterraneo10]

Why do you think the taxes are inevitable? Not only are short-haul flights in Eastern Europe not heavily taxed, the building and running of the airports has been heavily subsidized. It has more than paid for itself by bringing tourism income to the region, and encouraging the diaspora to regularly revisit and spend the money they have earned abroad.

[MereInterest]

Higher per-mile carbon emissions. Paying for itself through tourism doesn't count the externality of climate change.