24/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - MEP Caroline Lucas (British Green) was considerably less than impressed with the launch of the Airbus A380 in Toulouse last week, and stated ironically in a press release, on the jobs the project may help to create, that “in fact, most of the jobs created by the A380 in the next generation will be in the health and environmental sectors” (see EUROPE of 19 January, p.11). The MEP, whose electoral seat covers Gatwick Airport, one of the airports destined to receive the new aircraft, said “the A380 was designed in the spirit of low-cost air travel, according to the philosophy of 'pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap'. But the problem is that (…) the ultimate price will be paid by the taxpayer who will have to pick up the tab for the social and environmental impact of the pollution, congestion (…) and climatic chaos which will result”.