The Influence of Air Traffic on Climate Change

Abstract

Growth in the aviation sector has brought great benefits, but also an increased impact on the environment. Air transport has a significant impact on climate change, even to the extent that global climate change dictates the limitations of its development and the areas in which aviation needs to adapt its land and flight operations. The main pollutants emitted by aircraft are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), non-flammable hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and soot. Some of the key ways to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation are the development of new aircraft technologies and the inclusion of advanced design, the development of alternative fuels for use in aviation, the collection of airport taxes related to environmental protection, which encourages airlines to use quieter aircraft with lower emissions. The introduction of operational measures, in the form of changes in operating procedures, have proven to be very effective in reducing emissions. In addition to minimizing the amount of fuel for service and performance of each flight, in addition to the environmental benefits, they also reduce fuel costs. These changes do not require the introduction of new equipment and expensive technologies, but are based on different ways of operating aircrafts that are already in use.