The global impact of the aviation industry on major developments is undeniable; our entire world is intertwined with its social and economic domino effect. It’s no coincidence that several airlines are currently marking their hundredth anniversary with grand celebrations, symbolising a century of remarkable progress and technological revolution.

As I write this, an ultra-long-haul journey from London to Sydney is underway, a milestone test flight that completes in 19 hours what over 80 years ago used to take more than 12 days with over 4 transfers. This stands as an outstanding achievement in the evolution of air travel.

However, progress does not come without its challenges. Last week, I participated in one of the aviation conferences at WTM, coinciding with World Responsible Tourism Day. Here’s a summary of what I gleaned during the event.

The session featured a panel of specialists delving into diverse perspectives on sustainability and addressing concerns about the industry potentially lagging behind in achieving its greenhouse emission reduction goals. Among the panellists, Justin Francis, an activist and influential figure in all matters related to sustainable travel, was present, poised to challenge the industry.

Throughout the session, diverse perspectives were shared to elucidate the challenges that the aviation industry faces within the complexities of our current society and business landscape. Widely considered the Achilles heel of the travel industry, aviation contributes to a staggering 80% of its carbon emissions. This poses a significant concern for the future, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of aviation, estimated to be at least 5%.

In this era of avid travellers, the momentum of air travel seems unstoppable, with carbon emissions forecasted to surge by 300% by the year 2050, as emphasised by Justin. It’s crucial to note that other industries face similar challenges. Angela Foster, a speaker from Aerial Consulting, pointed out that ground transport contributes to 23% of total emissions in the UK, while deforestation alone accounts for 11% of the country’s total emissions.

On a global scale, air travel constitutes only 2% of global emissions. This underscores the necessity for significant sustainable efforts across various industries.

The aviation sector has initiated a series of noteworthy but expensive initiatives, significantly impacting their balance sheets, particularly in terms of Research and Development (R&D). An exemplary effort is the adoption of alternative jet fuels, often referred to as biofuels, which has yielded positive results for certain airlines like United Airlines.

However, there’s still much work to be done, especially considering the global implementation of biofuels involves navigating slow waiting times. This involves a lengthy process of extensive research, testing, and stringent regulation, an advancement that doesn’t yield rapid results.

Another critical initiative involves the modernization of aircraft fleets to more fuel-efficient models. Capitalising on modern aircraft technologies can decrease fuel consumption by up to 30% compared to older aircraft, optimising passenger load factors as well. Fleet upgrades have become a focal point in aviation this decade, with airlines undertaking this renewal not only to enhance efficiency but also to revamp cabin classes, meeting the diverse and ever-changing market demands.

These changes must be both environmentally and economically viable, making it a commendable example of sustainable practices in the industry.

Undoubtedly, the aviation landscape is intricate, facing not only various environmental challenges but also navigating through multiple regulatory frameworks, economic and political hurdles, and numerous social aspects. This complexity leaves the industry susceptible to vulnerability.

The key to fostering a more sustainable aviation sector lies in the continuous exploration of new technologies and ideas by all stakeholders, coupled with an unwavering commitment to implementing ongoing solutions. While advancements in commercial aviation technologies are occurring, they might not be progressing at the pace necessary to achieve immediate and substantial reductions.

It’s essential to recognise that technology must strike a balance between sustainability and economic feasibility. Given that numerous industries, if not all, depend on aviation, and considering its pervasive impact on the global economy, it becomes clear that the industry operates within a domino effect. Hence, it’s crucial to put things into perspective, acknowledging the realities we face today.

Neil Clougley, from Faradair Aerospace, introduced the captivating subject of electric power system technologies during the session, which, surprisingly, are already in use at airports globally. Consider this: the most fuel-intensive phases of a flight are the take-off and landing. These technologies, as elucidated by Neil, have the potential to reduce this consumption by 30% to 40%, especially during specific functions like the lift stage. I found this concept incredibly intriguing. If these technologies prove effective on a global scale, widespread adoption could immediately make a significant impact on emissions worldwide. It’s a compelling call to action.

I am optimistic, considering humanity’s remarkable problem-solving abilities throughout history. This technology might just be one of the most promising solutions to pursue in addressing the aviation emissions puzzle.

Several airlines, including IAG and Qantas, have committed to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, demonstrating a shared commitment to a sustainable future for air travel. While these pledges are commendable, the critical aspect is the provision of detailed plans outlining how they intend to achieve these ambitious targets.

Peter Castellas, CEO of Tasman Environmental Markets, introduced additional initiatives that, if adopted globally, could offer an effective carbon offsetting solution. These initiatives include investing in offsetting projects with robust action plans and globally educating people about the reality of carbon emissions, countering the prevalent misinformation.

On the education front, Peter highlighted an example from Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, which directly engages consumers at the moment of purchase, presenting choices for offsetting initiatives. While it might be tempting to assume that few people pay attention to such details when buying airline tickets, in reality, many do, with a significant number actively participating in these initiatives. According to Peter, this initiative has led to a 30% increase in consumer engagement in carbon offsetting reduction for Qantas.

This simple and targeted solution, connecting buyers and sellers, appears to be an excellent way to integrate consumer purchase decisions with the sustainability features of products. It organically promotes more environmentally conscious choices and may serve as a stepping stone towards a low-carbon economy mindset.

 

Justin brought up another pressing issue, the tax subsidies that airlines reportedly enjoy, suggesting that fuel taxation should be enforced to channel funds into more research and development. I agree that ongoing research is crucial since a one-time solution won’t suffice for the complex challenges the aviation industry faces.

The industry is in a constant state of evolution, demanding solutions that keep pace with its rapid changes. However, the practical management of fuel taxation raises questions about clear results and efficient investments.

The aviation sector already bears heavy fixed costs, fees, and taxes, but there is a lack of clarity regarding the returns, benefits, and specific investments from such taxes. If implemented, transparency is crucial, and details must be clearly communicated to the airlines involved.

A well-intentioned suggestion from the audience proposed that if, for instance, the UK government committed to reducing the Air Passenger Duty (APD), airlines could reciprocate by committing to adopting power electronic technologies.

As mentioned earlier, solutions must strike a balance between sustainability and economic viability to ensure the industry’s continuity. This idea seems like a promising start. In the current landscape, driven in part by the low-cost revolution, passengers are taking more flights than ever due to competitive pricing. This trend makes economic sense, and it becomes challenging to incentivise people to travel less when affordable options abound.

Low-Cost Carriers, in particular, not only cater to existing demand but also stimulate new demand, continuously contributing to the industry’s growth. While this is advantageous for consumers, it poses challenges for the carbon emissions issue, as low-cost carriers often generate more take-offs and landings than long-haul carriers. The possibility of implementing minimum price regulations or enforcement could be explored in this context.

There was another idea that emerged during the session, suggesting a shift towards hub-to-hub services instead of feeder services.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that exclusively offering hub-to-hub journeys would not be economically feasible for legacy and network airlines. The airline industry is highly vulnerable and dependent on various factors. The current market demands services to and from destinations of all sizes, including small cities, making feeder flights an essential component of the air network.

In conclusion, I reiterate: Sustainability in the aviation industry rests on three pillars: Social, Economic, and Environmental considerations.

Governments and stakeholders must carefully navigate the implementation process. From my perspective, reverting to the practices of the past is not an option.

Aviation has ushered in tremendous advancements in our modern world. Moreover, inducing a massive and swift shift in consumer mindset poses a significant challenge.

The key lies not in a singular solution but in a strategic amalgamation of various initiatives, as highlighted in this article. Real change arises from the synergy of these solutions: robust Research and Development (R&D), adoption of Electric Power Solutions, fleet modernisation and optimisation, organic mindset transformation through education, transparent communication, and global commitments from corporations and investors for environmental projects, all underscored by vigilant monitoring of implementation processes.

Thanks a lot for reading

With Love

“Aviation is proof that given, the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible”. Eddie Rickenbacker

🙏✈️In Love with the air..line industry✈️🙏

❤️

Jenny