Search results

In the past four decades, substantial air traffic growth has triggered enthusiasm in the aviation sector. At the same time, this growth has posed challenges to its financial and environmental sustainability commitments. A buzz has been centered on introducing and supporting aviation sustainability initiatives. These challenges have led to acknowledging the need to reduce aviation fuel consumption, a function of multiple factors. The different stakeholders having a diverse type of interplay govern the effective implementation of the factors at different decision levels (strategic, tactical and operational). Thus, the present study aims to critically examine various decision levels involved to understand opportunities and requirements related to aviation sustainability.

In this study, the best–worst method is used to quantify different decision levels’ role on various factors affecting aviation fuel consumption.

The results of this study signify that tactical-level decisions are most influential in reducing aviation fuel consumption with the highest impact (0.41) followed by operational-level decisions (0.30) and strategic-level decisions (0.29), respectively.

The results point toward the critical role of middle-level hierarchy, i.e. aircraft manufacturers, airlines and others in the aviation industry’s sustainable growth. Thus, middle-level stakeholders must be inspired and empowered to act, being at the center they link the other two levels.

This study has added to the body of knowledge by exploring the decision-making competencies needed by different aviation sector stakeholders. It also presents the possible options available in the sector and the role of stakeholders at different levels in exploiting and implementing the sustainable aviation sector changes.

Reducing aircraft fuel consumption has become a paramount research area, focusing on optimizing operational parameters like speed and altitude during the cruise phase. However, the existing methods for fuel reduction often rely on complex experimental calculations and data extraction from embedded systems, making practical implementation challenging. To address this, this study aims to devise a simple and accessible approach using available information.

In this paper, a novel analytic method to estimate and optimize fuel consumption for aircraft equipped with jet engines is proposed, with a particular emphasis on speed and altitude parameters. The dynamic variations in weight caused by fuel consumption during flight are also accounted for. The derived fuel consumption equation was rigorously validated by applying it to the Boeing 737–700 and comparing the results against the fuel consumption reference tables provided in the Boeing manual. Remarkably, the equation yielded closely aligned outcomes across various altitudes studied. In the second part of this paper, a pioneering approach is introduced by leveraging the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). This novel application of PSO allows us to explore the equation’s potential in finding the optimal altitude and speed for an actual flight from Algiers to Brussels.

The results demonstrate that using the main findings of this study, including the innovative equation and the application of PSO, significantly simplifies and expedites the process of determining the ideal parameters, showcasing the practical applicability of the approach.

The suggested methodology stands out for its simplicity and practicality, particularly when compared to alternative approaches, owing to the ready availability of data for utilization. Nevertheless, its applicability is limited in scenarios where zero wind effects are a prevailing factor.

The research opens up new possibilities for fuel-efficient aviation, with a particular focus on the development of a unique fuel consumption equation and the pioneering use of the PSO algorithm for optimizing flight parameters. This study’s accessible approach can pave the way for more environmentally conscious and economical flight operations.

To examine the role of new aeronautical technologies in improving commercial aviation’s environmental performance.

Reviews the environmental improvements that may be conferred through the adoption of alternative aviation fuels and new airframe, engine and navigation technologies.

Although aeronautical technologies have evolved considerably since the earliest days of powered flight, the aviation industry is now reaching a point of diminishing returns as growing global consumer demand for air transport outstrips incremental improvements in environmental efficiency. The chapter describes some of the technological interventions that are being pursued to improve aviation’s environmental performance and discusses the extent to which these innovations will help to deliver a more sustainable aviation industry.

Purpose – To examine the relationship between aviation and climate change, and the international dimensions of air transport.

Methodology/approach – A review of aviation's impacts on the global climate, mitigation strategies to reduce this impact, and the possible consequences of climate change for commercial aviation.

Findings – Although a range of mitigation measures have been developed and implemented to reduce aircraft emissions in the short term, with some environmental benefit, there is a real need for the aviation sector to identify the possible impacts of climate change on air travel operations, both to aircraft in flight and to operations at airports. A further challenge will be to devise adaptation plans that will address the vulnerabilities and thus ensure safe aviation-related operations.

Social implications – The climate change impacts of aviation will adversely affect society. In addition, some individuals may have to reduce or stop flying as a result of increased taxes and legislation implemented in response to climate change.

Originality/value of paper – There is a novel focus on the adaptation challenges for the aviation industry in response to climate change.

Tourism is integral to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and is closely linked to air transport. This paper aims to explore their relationship, emphasising impacts on accessibility, connectivity and collaborative efforts between airlines, destination management organisations and stakeholders. Improved air transport contributes to tourism-led growth, economic development, job creation and cultural exchange. However, environmental challenges prompt innovation with cleaner technologies and sustainable aviation fuels.

Opinion piece.

Linking aviation and tourism to the UN SDGs, the paper showcases contributions done to date to environmental, social and economic aspects. The paper suggests a focused strategy for aviation to align more closely with the UN SDGs. Actions such as exploring alternative fuels, prioritising energy-efficient aircraft, addressing local impacts and fostering global collaboration are crucial in addressing gender disparities for a more inclusive future.

This piece examines air transport developments from 1946 to 2020, revealing transformative periods marked by regulatory agreements, technological advancements and sustainability initiatives. The paper also addresses COVID-19 impacts, highlighting vulnerabilities, resilience and lessons for adaptability and sustainability.

旅游业是联合国可持续发展目标的组成部分, 与航空运输密切相关。本文探讨了它们之间的关系, 强调了对航空公司、目的地管理组织 (DMO) 和利益相关者之间的可达性、连通性和协作的影响。改善航空运输有助于旅游业主导的增长、经济发展、创造就业机会和文化交流。然而, 环境挑战促使清洁技术和可持续航空燃料的创新。

观点文章。

该文章将航空和旅游业与联合国可持续发展目标联系起来, 展示了迄今为止在环境、社会和经济方面所做的贡献。该文章提出了一项有针对性的航空战略, 从而更紧密地配合联合国可持续发展目标。探索替代燃料、优先考虑节能飞机、解决当地影响和促进全球合作等行动对于解决性别差异、创造更具包容性的未来至关重要。

本文探讨了 1946 年至 2020 年航空运输的发展, 揭示了以监管协议、技术进步和可持续发展举措为标志的变革时期。该文章还讨论了 COVID-19 的影响, 强调了脆弱性、复原力以及适应性和可持续性的经验教训。

El turismo forma parte integral de los ODS de la ONU y está estrechamente vinculado al transporte aéreo. Este documento explora su relación, haciendo hincapié en las repercusiones sobre la accesibilidad, la conectividad y los esfuerzos de colaboración entre las aerolíneas, las organizaciones de gestión de destinos (DMOs) y las partes interesadas. La mejora del transporte aéreo contribuye al crecimiento impulsado por el turismo, al desarrollo económico, a la creación de empleo y al intercambio cultural. Sin embargo, los retos medioambientales impulsan la innovación con tecnologías más limpias y combustibles de aviación sostenibles.

Artículo de opinión.

Al vincular la aviación y el turismo con los ODS de la ONU, el artículo muestra las contribuciones realizadas hasta la fecha a los aspectos medioambientales, sociales y económicos. El documento sugiere una estrategia centrada para que la aviación se alinee más estrechamente con los ODS de la ONU. Acciones como explorar combustibles alternativos, priorizar aeronaves energéticamente eficientes, abordar los impactos locales y fomentar la colaboración global son cruciales, así como abordar las disparidades de género para un futuro más inclusivo.

Este artículo examina la evolución del transporte aéreo desde 1946 hasta 2020, revelando periodos transformadores marcados por acuerdos normativos, avances tecnológicos e iniciativas de sostenibilidad. El artículo también aborda los impactos del COVID-19, destacando las vulnerabilidades, la resistencia y las lecciones para la adaptabilidad y la sostenibilidad.

In the first two decades of the twenty-first century, low-cost carriers grew rapidly in many low- and middle-income economies. In this chapter, we examine the geography and network structure of low-cost carriers in such economies across Asia in 2018. We use these analyses to explore the relationship between budget airlines and economic development. Levels of disposable income and infrastructure adequacy help to account for the significance of low-cost airlines in some middle-income economies. And in turn, these airlines by fostering higher levels of accessibility and personal mobility may help catalyze faster development. However, the environmental externalities associated with aviation, especially atmospheric emissions, raise concerns about the sustainability of this mode. We assess these concerns and focus in particular on the development of low-cost carriers fleets in Asia. We ask whether the acquisition of more fuel-efficient aircraft will ameliorate aviation's environmental impact.

The low-cost carrier's model made remarkable gains across the globe in the prior decade, although growth was uneven domestically and intraregionally. Within this region, there are significant differences in overall country size, the size of the domestic aviation market, and the number of carriers serving the market. The largest and most developed market is in Russia, but rest of the region also experienced growth in economy airlines' activity as they discovered the power of the model to expand aviation access and lower costs. The success of low-cost carriers, however, has been halting and hampered by government decisions on foreign investment, ownership, and leasing. Still, some carriers have been able to grow and achieve gains over rivals. The recent Russian-Ukrainian war has further complicated the situation.

This chapter examines the torsions and blind spots that structure the contemporary debate on the politics and policy of aviation. It also generates different scenarios for the future of air travel, which can help to unblock the current impasse about the perceived costs and benefits of aviation and its attendant infrastructural needs.

This chapter characterises and evaluates the competing frames that organise the contested realities of air transport. By mapping out the current fault lines of aviation politics and policy, the chapter is also able to delineate four main scenarios regarding the future of aviation, which we name the ‘post-carbon’, ‘high-modernist’, ‘market regulation’ and ‘demand management’ projections respectively.

The chapter problematises and criticises the existing literature, policy reports and stakeholder briefings that inform the contemporary standoff in UK aviation policy. It uses the definition of sustainable development as a heuristic device to map and identify the fault lines structuring contemporary debates on aviation futures. It then builds upon this analysis to delimit four different scenarios for the future of flying.

The chapter analyses the contested realities of aviation politics. It re-affirms the political nature of such divisions, which in turn structure the rival understandings of aviation. The analysis suggests that the identified fault lines are constantly reiterated by competing appeals to ambiguous and contradictory evidence-bases or policy frames. Ultimately, the chapter claims that any significant reframing of aviation policy and politics rests on the outcome of political negotiations and persuasion. But it also depends on the broader views of citizens and stakeholders about the future challenges facing society, as well as the way in which governments and affected agents put in place and coordinate the multiple arenas in which a dialogue over the future of aviation can be held. Aviation futures cannot be reduced to the narrow confines of the technical merits or claims surrounding the feasibility of policy instruments.

The most modern cockpit in commercial aviation will be featured in the new fuel‐efficient Boeing 767 airliner.