Airlines put carbon aside

In October, talks at the Business Travel Show in Dubai about powering planes with electricity or natural gas seemed toothless considering the number of technical problems involved with redesigning the plane's engine and testing generally means more costs.

With the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN specialised agency that aims to promote safe and orderly development of international civil aviation over the world, placing more pressure on airlines to reduce their carbon emissions.

Anthony Concil, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, recently said that the aviation industry was responsible for only about two per cent of total global carbon dioxide emissions, and should be responsible for no more than three per cent by 2050.

Constant technological improvements - including the development of zero-emission engines and fuels within about 50 years - make it unrealistic to assume that aviation will become one of the largest polluters, he added.

At the Business Travel Show, Ali Al Rais, General Manager Commercial for Qatar Airways, said that the industry is prepared to find ways to reduce the negative environmental impact of its planes.

He added this action will be taken collectively by all Middle East airlines as part of their corporate social responsibility. Yet few are willing to sink millions of dollars into research for alternative fuels, for fear of increasing the cost of flying for passengers.

Last year, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief, told the press that he was against the idea of imposing green taxes. Instead he favours putting collection boxes at airports so that people can contribute voluntarily.

"The biggest polluters are countries that have a total disregard [for climate change]," he said. Al Baker further added that monitoring also needs to be imposed on military jets rather than placing the blame on the more fuel-efficient civil airliners.

See also:
Green planes good for the airline business
Qatar Airways predicts planes powered by natural gas and electricity
Middle East prepares for busier skies