In his newsletter, Bisignani applied to ministers of transport, heads of state and environment ministers in order they could assist “to make Copenhagen a success” for the airline industry as IATA was not able to be the only campaigner.

But the airline industry has a big number of denial, delay and inactivity for that reason many UNFCCC delegates are not ready to believe that IATA or the International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO), the UN agency for civil aviation will contribute to curtailing greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.

Both the aviation industry and the shipping industry became the most unruly industry sectors when talking about global warming.

In late 1997 the Kyoto Protocol stated the following: emissions of greenhouse gases should follow restriction or reduction from the aviation sector by means of ICAO. Later little progress was seen as there were made changes by ICAO. But according to the recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change report, international aviation emissions of developed countries increased by 65.8% during the period of1990 and 2005.

Also IATA accepted a four-pronged public relations strategy in order to smooth concern over its environmental influence. It was decided to promote the growth of fuel efficiency as well as to hype the fact that some of its member companies provide passengers the option to take part in a carbon offset program. The association also targeted at securing the support of International Civil Aviation Organization in order IATA was able to implement four-pillar strategy of investing in technology, flying planes effectively, building effective infrastructure as well as utilizing economic measures.

IATA airlines introduced a bold-sounding strategy in June 2009. The aim of the strategy was to design the image of resolute action by the industry.

The environmentalists that called on the governments are BAA Stansted’s head of environment Dr. Andy Jefferson,

via radziun

Emirates divisional senior vice-president commercial operations worldwide Richard Vaughan and Manchester Metropolitan University’s professor of sustainable aviation Dr. Callum Thomas. The expressed their concern about these funds in a World Travel Market seminar.

“The UK Airport Operators Association did a paper last week on the APD and its impact. It showed tax recovered from APD was £806 million in 2001/2 and in 2007/8 it was £1.99 billion. My concern is that this money is going into lots of different government pots – the banks too probably – and not being put back into helping the aviation industry find a solution to the Co2 emissions crisis,” said Jefferson.

Vaughan also mentioned he knows some money are invested in looking for greener solutions, but there are also many funds that go elsewhere.

“Globally, governments are aiming to reduce Co2 emissions by 50% and in developed economies those governments need to reduce emissions by 80%. And all the time emissions are going up as we struggle to find a solution. We are simply not developing the technology fast enough to offset our emissions right now. Our governments need to reinvest all the emission tax money they are getting into finding a solution,”

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The refurbished plane is a Boeing 737-700, which cost the airline $40 million; to make it “greener”, they equipped it with a variety of eco-products, from life vests to carpeting. Replacing standard products, with these ones would mean a reduction of about five pounds of weight per seat, meaning 472 pounds for the entire plane.

A plane 472 pounds lighter translates into 9,500 gallons of fuel savings per year, said Marilee McInnis, a Southwest spokeswoman. Southwest Airlines operate 540 aircraft which could save $10.3 million per year. “It you estimate $2 per gallon, which is conservative … that becomes $19,000 per aircraft per year,” McInnis said.

The products will be tested for 6 months to see how well they are received by customers and how reliable they are and based on this, the company will decide whether to include them on all Southwest flights or not. (via Dallas Tribune)

5. Virgin Airlines started its environmental efforts by signing a deal with Boeing that supposes the purchasing a number of eco-friendly aircrafts to use on their routes. The airline will receive 15 787-9 Dreamliners, that use 20% less fuel for every passenger onboard than other planes of a similar size. The new aircrafts will also be able to offer less bumpier takeoffs and landings, cleaner air, larger windows, more storage space and enhanced lighting onboard. Boeing also announced that over 500 787-9 Dreamliner aircrafts were ordered.

4. Continental Airlines replaced a large part of their fleet with planes that are more energy-efficient. The company saved an impressive amount of fuel and reduced emissions by 5%, after installing winglets on all their Boeing 737s and 757s. Moreover, the airline has begin experimenting Boeing 737s flights with bio fuel, which is made from extracts of algae and jartopha plants.

3. easyJet plans on installing new energy-efficient engines on all their Airbus A319s. By doing that, the low cost company intends to cut the mono-nitrogen oxide emissions by 25 percent. By 2015, the Easy Jet officials have in mind reducing noise by 25%, CO2 emissions by 50% and NOx by more than 75%. According to the company’s officials, EasyJet has cut its CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre by 18% since 2002. Their efficiency and use of smaller airports allows easyJet to fly more passengers/flight and emit 27% less carbon per passenger km than regular companies. Here’s a crazy takeoff with an A319: