|
Regulation, profitibility and sustaintainability: How the environment, fuel prices and legislation impact airlines
Global Aerospace Summit panel session to discuss challenges facing the industry
ABU DHABI, UAE, 9 APRIL 2012: The impact of the environment, fuel prices and legislation on airlines is set to become one of the cornerstone discussions at the upcoming Global Aerospace Summit taking place in Abu Dhabi at the St. Regis hotel on Monday April 16th and Tuesday April 17th 2012.
Moderated by Marion C. Blakey, Chairman ICC Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the panel discussion will also include Mary Ellen Jones, President, Engine Alliance; Miles Cowdry, Director, Global Corporate Development, Rolls-Royce; Ian Jopson, Head of Environmental and Community Affairs, NATS, member, ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP); Damien Meadows, Head, International Carbon Market, Aviation, Maritime European Commission; Captain Chris Schroeder, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment & Fuel Projects, Qatar Airways; and Vincent Schachter, Vice-President Research & Development, Total Gas & Power.
Companies across the sector are collaborating to reduce the environmental impact, and increase the overall efficiencies, of air transport using a four-pillar strategy of new technology, efficient operations, improved infrastructure and economic measures.
A recent report produced by Oxford Economics and published by Air Transport Action Group (ATAG)*, the only global industry-wide body to bring together all aviation industry players, illustrated the scale of the challenge, as well as the economic importance of the aviation industry.
According to the report, airline operations produced 649 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2010 and 676 million tonnes in 2011.
The cost of fuel remains a major challenge for the industry, and the cost of fuel to airlines was US$140 billion in 2010, which increased by more than 25% in 2011 to US$176 billion.
The industry is working to continue to improve fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5% per year until 2020 and by 2050 the industry has committed to reduce its net carbon footprint to 50% below what it was in 2005.
These challenges will be a key discussion point for the panel discussion at the Global Aerospace Summit.
Ahead of her appearance at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, Marion C. Blakey, Chairman of the International Coordinating Committee of Aerospace Industries Associations and President of the Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., said:
"The future of civil aviation's contribution to the global economy depends on successfully adopting technology, operational and infrastructure solutions to reduce aviation emissions. Progress over the last several decades is a testament to our ability to work together and implement solutions. There's a lot of work ahead of us and this Summit offers an opportunity to address challenges, solutions and next steps."
The ATAG report also highlighted that aviation's global economic impact is US $2.2 trillion (including direct, indirect, induced and tourism catalytic), equivalent to 3.5% of world GDP. This demonstrates the fundamental economic importance of the aviation and aerospace industries, whether it be through its contribution to employment, tourism, world trade or infrastructure investment.
Global Aerospace Summit 2012, hosted by Mubadala Aerospace, is an exclusive forum bringing together international and regional senior executives from across the aerospace, aviation and space sectors for a four day event that will promote cross industry thought leadership and discuss future growth strategies.
Nicholas Webb, Managing Partner, Streamline Marketing Group, the organizers of the Global Aerospace Summit, commented:
"The report published by ATAG has shown that there are a number of challenges that are front of mind for every executive working in the aerospace and aviation industries, whether they are supplier, OEM, airline, or airport operator. The key for this Summit is how the industry as a whole can come together and develop workable strategies for adapting to and overcoming these challenges to create a sustainable future for the industry at a global level."
*Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders Report, March 2012: http://www.aviationbenefitsbeyondborders.org/
|