Aviation industry aims for big improvement in environmental sustainability by 2020

The UK’s aviation industry admits growth in air travel “has created significant detrimental environmental impacts”, and has set targets to improve its sustainability significantly by 2020. Greenskies Alliance co-ordinator Jeff Gazzard, however, says that a just-launched programme to correct this is “a smoke and mirrors illusion”, which has rolled out “improvements” that have already been assumed in government projections.

Following a year’s planning, all the UK industry partners – from airlines and manufacturers to airports and air navigation service providers (ANSP) – have launched a co-ordinated programme dubbed “Sustainable Aviation”.

The programme is pledged to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (CO²) emissions per passenger/kilometre and an 80% reduction in NOx emissions, and ensure fewer people than today are affected by aircraft noise. This is to be achieved through a combination of technical and operational measures and commercial efficiencies, plus the inclusion of aviation in a European industry emissions trading scheme that is being negotiated.

The technical measures, according to the British Air Transport Association (BATA), include the progressive introduction of next-generation aircraft like the Airbus A350, A380 and Boeing 787 into the fleet mix. Operational measures include airport and air traffic management (ATM) efficiency improvements, including airspace design advances, and more efficient approach, departure, ground movement and turnaround procedures.

The government has welcomed this industry co-operative effort, which so far includes seven airlines, National Air Traffic Services, 25 airports, and 12 manufacturers. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says: “I am delighted that such a wide range of organisations have worked on Sustainable Aviation. By working with government and society the industry can demonstrate that economic success, social progress and respect for the environment can go hand in hand.”

But Gazzard says: “The best that can be said is that this strategy – if it happens – will make things a little less horrible than would otherwise be the case.”

BATA counters that a 50% reduction in unit production of greenhouse gases “is a real stretch target”, and without a programme of industry co-operation would be unachievable.

DAVID LEARMOUNT/LONDON

Source: Flight International

Topics