Introduction
The aviation industry has undergone considerable transformation owing to increased investment by the industry players. The emergence of low-cost carriers in an effort to address the growing demand for air travel is one of the notable industry changes. According to Upham et al. (2017), the aviation industry has, in the course of the 20th century, become one of the most influential industries globally. Its significance arises from the fact that it fosters tourism and global trade. The success of the global aviation industry depends on the extent to which the industry players are committed to achieving sustainability (Upham et al. 2017). The principle of sustainability comprises diverse dimensions, among them the environment.
Diverse industries, amongst them the aviation industry, are focusing on achieving sustainability. The commitment within the aviation industry is underlined by the emergence of the concept of sustainable aviation, which involves a long-term strategy aimed at tackling the challenges in the aviation industry to achieve a sustainable future. Sustainable aviation involves a coalition of diverse stakeholders in the aviation industry that includes the airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports, and air navigation service providers (Sustainable Aviation 2017). Thus, the principle of sustainable aviation is intended to ensure that the aviation industry adopts broad approaches towards achieving sustainability. In spite of its value, some critics argue that sustainable aviation is a simple oxymoron. Therefore, it is impossible to have the term sustainability and aviation in the same sentence. This essay refutes this claim by providing a critical analysis of how sustainability can be optimally entrenched in the aviation industry.
Sustainable aviation is an oxymoron.
Sustainability entails the extent to which a practice, institution, entity, or relationship is capable of existing without affecting the social, environmental, or economic dimensions that might impact its viability (Thiele 2013). Alternatively, sustainability can be defined as the capacity of an entity to successfully meet its current needs without undermining future welfare (Karakoc et al. 2016). The sustainability construct is not only concerned about the long-term existence of an organization but also the future and welfare of diverse stakeholders in society (Tollin & Ve, 2012).
Sustainability is a central aspect of the aviation industry. The relevance of sustainability to the aviation industry is underlined by the fact that the industry accounts for a significant proportion of the total greenhouse gas emissions and, hence, climate change. A report by the International Panel on Climate Change (2000) estimates that the aviation industry contributes approximately 2% of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide emitted globally. The growth in the aviation industry due to an increase in demand for air travel and technological advancement means that there is a high probability that the volume of greenhouse gas emissions by the aviation industry has increased substantially. A study conducted by Air Transport Action Group shows that air travel contributed 781 million tons of the total volume of carbon dioxide emitted in 2015 (AITA 2017). This indicates that the aviation industry contributes to environmental pollution, hence affecting the welfare of other stakeholders in society as a result of an increase in the rate of pollution.
Climate change has become a central subject amongst governmental and non-governmental organizations, as evidenced by the implementation of extensive rules aimed at regulating industry’s contribution to climate change. One of the regulations aimed at regulating a company’s contribution to climate change entails taxation. Over the years, the airline industry has greatly benefited from fuel tax exemptions compared to other transport industries. The tax exemption has resulted in an unsustainable increase in demand for fossil fuels (Karakoc et al. 2016). As a result of this aspect, the likelihood of greenhouse gas emissions by the airline industry is expected to increase substantially. Eliminating exemptions is one of the sustainability approaches that can be employed in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the industry. Nevertheless, the imposition of a fuel tax might adversely affect the aviation industry’s capacity to generate returns. The International Air Transportation Association estimates that fuel accounts for less than 15% of the total cost of air transport (IATA 2017).
The imposition of a fuel tax would significantly increase the cost of fuel. The airline companies might subsequently shift the additional fuel cost to passengers in terms of high air travel tickets, resulting in a reduction in the number of passengers. The ultimate effect would be a reduction in the profits that airline companies generate. Alternatively, the regulatory agencies might consider imposing an emission levy in an effort to reduce emissions by airlines. The House of Commons in the UK is of the view that the imposition of an emission levy might result in a change in the behavior of the airline companies. For example, the airline companies might consider implementing strategies aimed at reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emitted by aircraft during flights (Great Britain 2009). The increase in volume of greenhouse gas emitted by the aviation industry into the atmosphere might pose a threat to the industry’s long-term success.
The assertion that sustainable aviation is a simple oxymoron and hence the terms sustainability and aviation cannot be used in the same sentence is false. The assertion that sustainable aviation is a simple oxymoron suggests that it is not possible to achieve sustainable aviation because it would require the airline companies to invest significantly to enhance the industry’s sustainability. Because the aviation industry significantly contributes to the increase in environmental pollution and hence climate change, there is a need for stakeholders in the aviation industry to formulate approaches aimed at reducing their input to climate change. Achieving this outcome requires the adoption of sustainable aviation practices. Attaining sustainable aviation demands the adoption of a holistic approach in order to foster efficient operations (Walker & Cook, 2009).
The International Air Transport Association is determined to enhance sustainable aviation by reducing the industry’s contribution to climate change. This commitment is evidenced by the adoption of the four-pillar strategy. In its multifaceted approach, AITA focuses on improving technology, integrating more efficient aircraft operations, enhancing infrastructure, and establishing a single global market-based measure (Ryan 2016). Airline companies are increasingly being encouraged to consider producing and utilizing low-carbon fuels. Virgin Group Limited, United Continental Holding Incorporated, and JetBlue Airways Corporation are some of the notable aviation companies that have invested in the production of eco-friendly substitutes to be used in blending with traditional jet fuels. This approach will enable airline companies to significantly reduce the volume of greenhouse gases emitted by their aircraft.
Despite the fact that production of renewable fuels in the aviation industry is relatively low, the airline companies are striving towards achieving sustainable aviation goals (Ryan 2016). Moreover, the capacity of the aviation industry to generate adequate renewable fuel to cater to the growing demand for jet fuel is underlined by the fact that there are diverse raw materials, specifically biomass, that can be exploited in producing renewable aviation fuel. It is estimated that sustainable biofuels have the capacity to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from the aviation industry by 80% (Ryan 2016). Therefore, the assumption that the achievement of sustainable aviation is an oxymoron is far from reality.
Apart from the adoption of eco-friendly sources of energy, the attainment of sustainable aviation is also enhanced by the fact that the airline industry has increasingly considered technological innovation as one of the approaches towards achieving sustainability. Aircraft manufacturers are investing in the development of new fuel-saving technologies. Examples of such technologies include retrofits, which, according to Bongardt et al. (2013), can result in remarkable improvement in fuel efficiency. Improvements in engine retrofits, engine upgrades, active load alleviation, and wingtips are also some of the other technologies that can result in improved fuel efficiency. Innovation of new types of aircraft and integration of new technological features such as engine architecture, hybrid wing body, and fuel cell will also enhance the attainment of sustainable aviation.
The reality of sustainable aviation is also underscored by improvements in airlines' operations and the industry’s infrastructure. For example, adoption of improved maintenance techniques will significantly enhance the airlines ' operational efficiency, while integration of new limitations with reference to the environment, safety, and noise will also strengthen the industry’s sustainability.
Conclusion
The analysis conducted indicates that the attainment of sustainable aviation is a major concern for the industry players. The growth in concern for attaining sustainable aviation is underlined by the fact that the aviation industry significantly contributes to the prevailing high rate of climate change, owing to the volume of greenhouse gas emitted from the industry. In their pursuit of sustainable aviation, diverse stakeholders in the aviation industry, such as airline companies and aircraft manufacturers, are increasingly investing in achieving sustainability. The stakeholders in the industry are increasingly adopting diverse approaches aimed at achieving sustainability. Among the notable approaches are investing in new technology, achieving fuel efficiency, and improving their airline operations. The industry player’s failure to pursue sustainability might significantly affect the likelihood of the aviation companies operating sustainably and, hence, their long-term survival. In summary, the analysis underlines that sustainable aviation is not a simple oxymoron. On the contrary, it is a possibility that the industry players are pursuing in the quest to achieve sustainability.
References
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Great Britain 2009, Sustainable development in a changing climate, TSO, London.
IATA: Climate change 2017.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: IPCC special report; aviation and the global atmosphere 2000.
Karakoc, T et al. 2016, Sustainable aviation; energy and environmental issues, Springer, Switzerland.
Ryan, J, 2016, Airline industry’s low-carbon future needs fuel nobody makes in volume.
Sustainable Aviation: A strategy towards sustainable development of UK aviation 2017.
Thiele, L.L. 2013). Sustainability. John Wiley, New York.
Tollin, & Vej, J 2012, ‘Sustainability in business; understanding meanings, triggers and enablers’, Journal of Strategic Marketing, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 625-641.
Upham, P et al. 2012, Towards sustainable aviation, Routledge, New York.
