Ministers have been urged to scrap plans to halve the levy on air passengers, after new figures showed a 30% rise in plane journeys over the last five years.

The latest Scottish transport statistics showed air passenger numbers reached 28.8 million in 2017-18 – a rise of 29.8% from 2012-13.

That compares to a 5.7% increase in ferry journeys, a 7.2% increase in trips made in private cars, and a 17.4% increase in train journeys on ScotRail services.

Meanwhile journeys by cycling have fallen by 6.5%, while there were 7.6% fewer travellers using buses to get around.

With plane journeys soaring, the Scottish Greens insisted it was time for the Scottish Government to ditch plans for a 50% cut in Air Passenger Duty.

Ministers have pledged to replace the levy with a new devolved Air Departure Tax, which would be set at half the exisiting rate.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “The transport statistics show that the number of air passengers increased dramatically in the last five years.

“In light of this, the Scottish Government’s absurd plans to give a tax break to the highly polluting aviation industry should be scrapped.”

Mr Harvie added: “In the face of the climate crisis, Ministers should not be focusing their efforts on placating the only transport industry that is already free of fuel duty.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said while greenhouse gas emissions had almost halved since 1990 ministers recognised “boosting economic growth by improving air connectivity may lead to an increase in aviation emissions”.

He added: “Scotland has already shown global leadership by including a fair share of international aviation and shipping emissions in its statutory climate targets.

“Our Climate Change Plan accommodates projected changes in aviation emissions as part of a balanced approach to meeting Scotland’s world leading climate targets by driving down overall emissions.”