A government advisory body has called for a radical shake up of the charges airlines face for pollution and congestion costs.

The Commission for Integrated Transport said on Monday that its proposals of tough new measures for airlines would see charges passed on to passengers and would give local communities more control over pollution.A new report claims airlines are responsible for more pollution than they are presently held accountable for.

The report argues that responsibility for the costs of should congested runways and airspace, local environment pollution, health effects, greenhouse gases and land blight should be passed on to airlines.

It adds that the idea is in line with the government's view that the "polluter pays" and would incentives airlines to raise their standards further.CfIT chairman Professor David Begg said only such a tough approach would force airlines into action.

"The success of the UK aviation industry is vital both to the UK economy and our way of life but we must make sure that its contribution is a responsible and sustainable one," he said."Airports have a huge impact on the communities they serve as well as on the environment at large and we need to make sure that, in a world of growing demand, environmental impact is kept to a manageable minimum.

"What we are proposing is nothing short of a radical reform to make operators and passengers confront the environmental consequences of their actions.

"At the moment there is little incentive for airlines and passengers to change their behaviour."