The Conservatives have announced they will back a Europe-wide tax on aviation fuel, which could lead to as much as £7 being added to the cost of airline tickets.

In an interview with the Guardian the shadow transport secretary, Tim Yeo, outlined the environmental measures that will hit low-cost air travel companies.

Yeo questioned the justification for flying between London and Scotland and also said he would impose stringent financial obstacles to the construction of a new runway at Stansted airport.