AIRCRAFT carbon dioxide emissions are increasing as more passengers take to the skies, according to figures released yesterday.

Greenhouse gases from domestic aviation increased by 7.1% between 2004 and 2005, while international emissions increased by 5.7%.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) found UK emissions from aviation fuel more than doubled between 1990 and 2005. Despite this, the government said the UK remained on track to cut its greenhouse gases to almost double its Kyoto target.

David Miliband, Environment Secretary, said figures for 2005 from Defra showed Britain remained on course to exceed its commitment.

He said: "Based on these figures, our greenhouse gas emissions are 15.3% below 1990 levels - 18.8% when the effect of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is taken into account. That's already better than our Kyoto commitment of 12.5%.

"With emissions trading, we will almost double our Kyoto target, with an estimated 23.6% reduction in greenhouse gases on 1990 levels by 2010."

But Mike Childs, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said the figures showed the government was "still failing" to tackle climate change.

He added: "Carbon dioxide levels are higher than when Labour came to power, despite repeatedly promising substantial cuts. The government must get back on track by ensuring its new law on climate change sets annual targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions by at least 3% every year. Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK."

Peter Ainsworth, Shadow Environment Secretary, said critics had become "increasingly frustrated" with the government's "lack of a clear, long-term and holistic emission-reduction framework".

Meanwhile, British Airways was yesterday accused of "losing touch with reality" after it emerged it plans to offer senior directors unlimited free first-class travel.

Union leaders criticised the perk, which was revealed as staff were being balloted for industrial action in a row over pensions. The free travel offer to non-executive directors came to light in an e-mail.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, said: "These people have lost touch with reality. How can they expect anyone to take cuts in their pensions while offering these types of perks to well-heeled executives?"

A spokesman for BA said: "Every other airline offers free travel to board members and directors."