Page 14 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT

This highlights the complex nature of
the problem faced by aviation planners
trying to cut down environmental
effects. As Canberra’s Byron notes,
“the biggest challenges facing aviation,
in environmental terms, include the
availability of affordable fuel and energy,
and a growing noise sensitive world
community that demands operational
constraints on flight operations arriving
and departing airports.” Implementing
measures to cut immediate concerns
can also have deleterious knock on or
secondary effects, as ATAG’s enviro-aero
group points out in its assessment of the
challenges. It contends that in tackling
environmental issues, compromises need
to be made.
For example, the choice between
shortening routes to reduce the amount
Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 have noise of fuel used or maintaining noise
‘footprints’ that are relatively very small. abatement procedures by taking a
But Airbus takes a broader view than slightly longer or higher route to avoid
simply concentrating on technology. over or low-flying over residential or
“Airbus believes that technology is not naturally sensitive zones. At older
enough for a sustainable future,” says airports where cities have grown around
Andrea Debbane, VP of Environment or near to an airport, this is particularly
Affairs at Airbus. “This is why we are contentious if capacity expansion is
[being] a catalyst in the search for needed – just look at Heathrow. And
other solutions such as the production uncontrollable factors like weather also
of sustainable fuels.” Airbus also, says alter the mix. Aircraft need to takeoff
Debbane, supports a new look at the and land on the most in-to wind runway.
way aircraft are managed in the air. If the wind is too strong they may not
“Regulators also have a major role to play be able to use the best (quietest) noise
in making aviation more efficient through abatement runway. And if there is bad
modernising Air Traffic Management weather such as a thunderstorm or a
(ATM), something we support via our squall, planes may have to fly over off-
Airbus Prosky subsidiary,” she added. limits areas to maintain safety.

STARTING AT GROUND LEVEL Effect of Altitude on
Although some airports are already making efforts to reduce their environmental Emissions Impact
impact by implementing new green features, most commentators agree they could
do more. Some are investing in alternative sources of energy such as solar panels
to power airports’ buildings; deploying battery-powered, zero-emission vehicles
that move passengers from terminal to terminal and recycling waste. But, says
ATR’s Aldo Mucciardi, governments need to join in at a strategic level too. “They
should be conscious on the need to implement effective land-use management
policies in the vicinity of airports, and work with airports and air navigation service
providers to ensure environmentally-responsible airport expansion and air
route efficiency,” he asserts. “Close cooperation with International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) needs to be set up to develop effective and efficient policies to
address the environmental impacts of aviation,” he adds.

14 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM