Green planes good for the airline business

Both would reduce the environmental impact of flights, something that major airlines around the world are acutely aware of. But any change in fuel is not easy to do, as it means that the engines powering the planes needs redesigning, and then extensive testing.

But what Ali Al Rais, General Manager Commercial for Qatar Airways, highlighted is that the industry is being innovative in thought and wants to tackle the environmental impact of its planes. Also, when the industry stands up and says it is looking into alternative fuels it means that collectively, it accepts it has a responsibility to change.

Last year, Richard Branson said its transport businesses, including Virgin Airlines, will use its profits over 10 years (estimated to be $3bn) on research and projects to help combat global warming.

Other unrelated technological improvements will also have a positive impact for the environment. AME Info recently looked at the growing trend of companies hiring business jets to ferry staff around, rather than booking on commercial airlines. Again, this is a sector on the cusp of a boom, because new technologies will soon mean business jets will be much lighter. Lighter planes need less fuel, and that has two benefits - it means they cost less to run, so prices come down, and their impact on the environment is reduced.

Few companies around the world would spend millions of dollars on research and development for altruistic reasons - there has to be a sound business plan behind the decision. The airline sector knows that current fuel resources have a finite lifespan and more importantly, tax will be increasingly loaded onto airlines by governments, which will then have to passed onto passengers through raised fares. No airline wants to scare off passengers with high fares.

Green warriors will say all flying is bad, but it is unrealistic to believe or expect people to stop flying. Our communications have taken major leaps forward, but we all know that face to face meetings still reap more rewards than sending email or holding a virtual meeting using webcams. Equally, few people are prepared to give up their foreign holidays and let's face it, with so many expats in the GCC countries, how many of us would be here if we couldn't step on a plane.

The airline industry is going through a boom time, with more and more passengers booking flights for business and leisure travel. This is particularly true for GCC airlines, where the economic boom is attracting more visitors to the region. It will take a major incident for this trend to crash and burn.

Every airline knows when times are good, it needs to put in the effort to be noticed, be it through pricing policy or good PR. And when the environment is such a hot topic, stepping up and saying your company cares will attract attention.

See also:
Qatar Airways predicts planes powered by natural gas and electricity
Regional business jet market ready for takeoff