PASSENGERS with low fare air giant Flybe are to be told exactly how much damage their journey is doing to the environment.

Tickets will come with information about fuel use, carbon dioxide emissions and the noise patterns of its planes. Travellers will then be asked if they want to offset the impact of their journey by making donations to a green charity.

The firm, Southampton Airport's largest carrier, says this "eco-labelling" plan is the first of its kind and will let people choose which route or aircraft is the least environmentally damaging.

Flybe says it has invested more than £2 billion in "new state-of-the-art environmentally sensitive aircraft".

Emissions UK charity Pure has been selected to oversee carbon offsetting schemes for Flybe passengers. Emissions caused by aviation are six per cent of the UK's total but look set to increase significantly, with air travel predicted to rise three-fold by 2050, based on 2003 levels.

Jim French, Flybe chief executive and chairman, said: "Flybe acknowledge that human activity, including air travel, is contributing to global climate change.

"Flybe acknowledges and takes seriously its responsibility to reduce the carbon emissions produced by our aircraft and this we are seeking to do, through the purchase of the most environmentally sensitive aircraft, deployment of the right size aircraft on the right routes, and constant improvements in our operational processes "We take up the challenge to make Flybe as environmentally sensitive as possible.

"We believe that through the provision of information to consumers they will exercise choice ie, I need to make this journey and I know my choice has the least impact on my neighbourhood and the environment'."