REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF AIRCRAFT EMISSIONS: MITIGATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

Air transport has been a significant contributor to the development of economy and society. However, aviation also results in environmental concerns. Among them, environmental impacts that are induced by air emissions from commercial aircraft are the topic of this paper. The objectives of this research are to study the environmental impacts of aircraft emissions, to recommend mitigation measures and to propose a pragmatic implementation approach. Combustion of jet fuel in main engines and auxiliary power units of aircraft produces a range of exhaust, resulting in considerable environmental impacts. The major constituents of the emissions are carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides and particles. These emissions not only cause air pollution at surface level, imposing adverse effects on health and ecosystem, but also contribute to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. Measures to mitigate these impacts are also proposed, including advancement of technology, modernization of operational and management systems, upgradation of infrastructure and application of positive economic measures. An approach to facilitate the implementation of mitigation measures is also examined. This approach utilizes the effects of endowment and indifference curves, which could change aircraft operators’ consumption behavior to prefer lower emission aircraft. Certain challenges facing the aviation industry are also documented in this study. For instance, the environmental impacts in stratosphere are not well understood, and further reduction of nitrogen oxides is a challenge to existing technologies. Therefore, more research is needed to address these concerns in the future.