Cleaner Aircraft
Thanks to technological progress, aircraft emissions around airports are generally low. Since the 1960s, levels of carbon monoxide have come down by 50% and unburned hydrocarbons and smoke by around 90%. Research is targeting a further 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) by 2020.
Our industry is also making substantial investments in cleaner ground support equipment and vehicles to improve local air quality.
Stricter Emission Certification Standards
NOx, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and smoke are subject to international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
ICAO has increased the stringency limit for NOx several times - by 20% in 1993 and by around 16% in 1999, compared to 1981 levels. A new standard was endorsed in 2004, applicable to new engines from 2008. It is 12% lower than the previous standard and will provide a 40% reduction compared to the first standard.
Airline Efforts Should Be Matched by Others
Aircraft are not the only or even the main source of local emissions around airports. Their contribution is relatively small compared to emissions from road traffic and other ground activities. Therefore, all sources must be considered in order to reduce total emissions. Measures should include, for instance, clean and efficient surface access to airports.
Airports can also make a difference by implementing measures such as optimising the airport design to reduce taxiiing times; providing cleaner ground service equipment and vehicles and using energy efficient systems for heating and lighting.
Challenges
Given that the industry's technological and operational standards are already very high, further improvements are becoming more difficult and costly. Moreover, the product development cycles for new aircraft & engine technologies are very long – typically 15-20 years.
Political and local pressure over air quality concerns is being used to justify the introduction of emissions levies, especially in Europe, where a growing number of airports have implemented NOx charges. IATA intervenes on behalf of its member airlines, when appropriate, to express concerns over the equity of these charges among airlines, and to underline their uncertain environmental benefits.
In some cases, local air quality concerns can even prevent airport expansion. The main obstacle to a third runway at Heathrow has been potential difficulties in meeting European NOx standards. Recent scientific assessments have suggested that these initial concerns were not entirely justified.
See also:
Environmental Review 2004, part 2, "Caring about air quality".