KEY POINTS:
The airline industry is debating whether it has lost the public relations battle over carbon emissions.
The International Air Transport Association's AGM in Vancouver this week has been told that the public thinks air travel is a huge polluter of the environment and that the industry has been too slow to put the record straight.
The 600 delegates heard that aircraft fuel efficiency has improved 20 per cent in the last decade and nearly five per cent in the last two years. They were told air transport contributes only two per cent of global CO2 emissions, yet supports eight per cent of global activity. IATA's figures claim road generates 80 per cent of total transport emissions.
It says modern aircraft consume an average of 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometres, similar to a small compact car but with six times the speed. The next generation of aircraft, the Boeing 787 and Airbus 380 are targeting fuel efficiencies below three litres per 100 passenger kilometres.
Marion Blakey from the US Federal Aviation Administration said in addition to the advantages of modern fleets, airlines are also flying smarter. She said in Atlanta, six new routes were introduced which have saved hundreds of millions of gallons of fuel a year.
She said long distance air travel is the most efficient environmental option, but the message isn't getting through to the public.
Air New Zealand told the meeting that efforts to reduce carbon emissions can also be a useful marketing tool to provide a competitive advantage.
Spokesman Rick Osborne said New Zealand relies heavily on the economic benefits of tourism so it's important that Air New Zealand presents clean, green credentials to the marketplace and shows it is being environmentally responsible.
Mr Osborne said Air New Zealand is engaging in emission offsetting programmes and has one of the most modern fuel-efficient jet fleets in the world. He said the addition of the Boeing 787 aircraft in 2010 will bring a 20 per cent reduction in fuel emissions.
IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said the industry must aim for zero carbon emissions.
Phillipe Rochat of the Air Transport Airline Group says the industry will still have to use carbon credits in the short term but will be using alternative fuels in the future.
He said even today, engines can use 50 per cent alternative fuels and the industry will be looking to achieve 100 per cent in the future.
- NEWSTALK ZB
