Treasury minister John Healey

The government has begun considering how it can minimise the impact of aviation on the environment.

Treasury minister John Healey published a consultation document on Friday that sought views on using economic measures to ease climate change fears.

With airlines lobbying hard to avoid paying tax on fuel, the document noted only that the industry should "pay for itself" in terms of the environmental costs of flights.

The document only went as far as asking for "suggestions" as to which methods could be used to achieve this, although some insiders suspect this is code for a fuel or aviation tax.

Healey said that he recognised that the aviation industry has "a vital role to play in the UK economy" but added that the industry's growth poses "significant environmental challenges".

"The government is committed to finding ways to tackle these impacts in the most efficient way while recognising the benefits that aviation delivers," he said.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker said that the issue would reveal the extent of the government's commitment to the environment.

"The real test will be whether the government are prepared to make the polluter pay the real environmental cost of aviation," he said.

"This will mean an aviation fuel tax at a European level, even if it cannot be achieved internationally."

The air transport white paper, due later this year, will set out "a policy framework for sustainable air transport over the next 30 years", Healey promised.

It will also include conclusions on airport capacity, another difficult topic that is currently under review.

Ministers are keen to see greater numbers of flights in and out of Britain to boost the economy, but vociferous local campaigns are opposing specific runway expansion plans.