Growing world aircraft fleet and increasing pollution

As competition among airlines around the world intensifies, more and more people find it convenient to travel by air for business and leisure. But the rapid growth of commercial aviation is having a significant impact on global warming and the Asia-Pacific region, the world’s fastest expanding market for air travel, is starting to feel the heat.

In its latest forecast of aviation growth, European aircraft maker Airbus said this month that the world’s fleet of large passenger jets (more than 100 seats) would double in the next 20 years to nearly 33,000 aircraft. It also predicted that passenger traffic would rise by 4.9 per cent a year between 2007 and 2026, while air freight would rise by 5.8 per cent annually in the same period.
The greatest demand will come from the Asia-Pacific region, where airlines will take delivery of 31 per cent of new planes in the next 20 years, compared with 24 per cent for Europe and 27 per cent for North America.

According to Airbus, the air transport industry contributes just 2 per cent of global man-made emissions of carbon dioxide, but it acknowledged that a big rise in the number of planes would mean more greenhouse gas emissions and therefore increased pressure on manufacturers to cut pollution.

Critics assert the airline industry is underestimating its contribution to global warming. They also say that while advances in engine design and other improved technology will continue to reduce airline pollution, these gains will be offset by the sheer growth of aviation, particularly in Asia, Europe and the United States.

NZ Herald