One question I have thought of that is seldom discussed is this:
Without international agreements against taxing aviation fuel, I can imagine that cheap airfares across Europe and East Asia would never have developed, as taxing aviation fuel would have become a very good revenue source even if only available for intercontinental flights. International bus services would have been used much more across Europe and Asia, and more extensive high-speed rail networks would have crossed national boundaries. However, international airlines would likely have taken advantage of concessional or low taxes in natural-resource-rich nations to divert flights there (e.g. to Sydney) which would have made air travel less efficient.
- How would global transportation have developed if there were no international agreements prohibiting the taxation of aviation fuel??
Without international agreements against taxing aviation fuel, I can imagine that cheap airfares across Europe and East Asia would never have developed, as taxing aviation fuel would have become a very good revenue source even if only available for intercontinental flights. International bus services would have been used much more across Europe and Asia, and more extensive high-speed rail networks would have crossed national boundaries. However, international airlines would likely have taken advantage of concessional or low taxes in natural-resource-rich nations to divert flights there (e.g. to Sydney) which would have made air travel less efficient.