And he points out that airlines have a constant incentive to improve fuel efficiency because of rising oil prices.
"They've made amazing strides and they will make amazing strides in the future," he said.
We will find out this summer whether the European Commission -- which started the low-fares revolution in the first place by opening up the EU's airspace to new carriers -- will force the airlines to pay a little more to pollute. Many hope that the Single European Skies program will make the EU's fragmented air traffic control networks more efficient and cut down on emissions.
In the meantime, the message for business travelers with an environmental conscience is this: if you must travel and the trains are unworkable, then at least don't take the car.
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