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Introduction
Air travel is an essential part of our world today as it helps connect people from various parts of the world to social and economic opportunities. Zhang and Graham (2020) argue that has also enabled the growth of businesses through globalization and improved peoples livelihoods through employment. Aviation has become a definitive feature of todays modern society. It has become essential in realizing cultural, social, and economic development globally and has been critical in shaping globalization and universal interactions (Zhang and Graham, 2020). A world without civil aviation is entirely unimaginable. Democratization of the air travel industry and reducing air travel costs by more than half in the last five decades have seen the sector experience rapid growth. Air transport is now accessible to many people.
Airports enable people and goods to fast movement, thereby directly contributing to economic progress and providing societal benefits. Despite its benefits, air travel is associated with several environmental concerns (Ansell and Haran, 2020). Recently, people are becoming more aware of the need for green businesses and incorporating sustainability measures into various sectors. Air travel is no exception. The sector contributes to 2.5% of the total CO2 emissions and 3.5% of global warming (Brian, 2022). This has raised concerns about the sustainability of civil aviation, which necessitated ICAO and its member states to develop several guidelines for ecological protection. Through a holistic, collective, and collaborative approach, the body has ensured air travel is safe, secure, and ecologically compliant than in earlier years (GOV.UK., n.d.). The focus has been on achieving the three pillars of air transport sustainability requirements to ensure the industry remains sustainable in the long run.
Air transport has always had issues to do with sustainability. Two of the UKs largest airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), have been impacted similarly by sustainability challenges like loss of biodiversity, poor wastewater management, noise pollution, deteriorating air quality other environmental issues affecting the wider population (Gatwickairport.com, 2018; Heathrow 2.0, 2019). Due to the virality of environmental awareness campaign programs and the need for climate justice action, most UK airports are taking steps to address these issues. Following ecological concerns, the two main airports have emerged as global leaders in the sustainable operations of their respective organizations.
Statement of the Problem
The aviation industry produces about 2.5% of the total CO2 emissions globally. However, this figure is not fully representative of its impact on the environment since it produces other gases which impact the atmosphere. David Lee et al. (2020), who estimated the radiative forcing of elements produced by aircraft, observed that the industry is responsible for about 3.5% of global warming. The scholars observed that as much as CO2 is the focus of most studies, it leads to less than half of global warming. And with the world air travel continuing to realize a drastic growth, this problem is about to be exacerbated further.
The sustainability of the aviation industry continues to pose so much doubt as the sector is projected to grow thrice in the next 30 years. The reliability and ecological impact of global air travel are becoming a pertinent discourse for the future of aviation, with several issues such as the safety and efficiency of the industry under constant question. According to CNN (2018) reports, air travel is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases globally. The report indicates that long-distance flights of big airplanes such as Boeing 747 emit about 400 tons of CO2 per trip. So much pressure is on the air transport industry to include sustainability in its transformation process.
Recently, there has been regulation set out for the air transport industry to ensure their operations conform to air travel requirements. The gravity of the matter led the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to resolve to adopt collective climate action for all stakeholders in the industry in the 39th and 40th assemblies in 2016 and 2019, respectively. In the initial assembly, it was agreed that fuel efficiency was to be improved by 2% annually (ICAO, 2019). There is an urgency to put sustainability at the core of air travel and put measures necessary to increase the efficiency of airport operations. Airport goals and missions should be aligned to the long-term objective of ensuring ecological health for the planet and helping realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.)
According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (n.d), if this problem remains unchecked, emissions related to air travel could surpass 1.2 billion tons per year by 2025, and the people affected by noise pollution would increase by 50% from the figure in 2000 to about 31 million in 2025. Growth in the aviation industry is very rapid, and so should the measures be taken to ensure its sustainability. With SDGs a major focus point in development and growth, the aerospace sector should extend its operation to ensure they are met. Aviation can be a tremendous source of good globally if the concerns raised behind its sustainability can be addressed by reducing the detrimental impacts.
Objectives of the Study
This study broadly purposes to look at the sustainability of the aviation industry as it is currently and in the future. Since sustainability is multi-conceptional, the focus of the study will be on the three pillars of sustainability. It will discuss the topic in detail with attention to sustainabilitys social, economic, and environmental aspects. The following specific objectives will guide it:
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To determine the differences and similarities in the sustainable measures undertaken by LHR and LGW.
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To establish the efforts put by LHR and LGW in ensuring the aerospace industry remains sustainable.
Literature Review and Conceptual Framework
This section discusses the concept of sustainable development concerning aviation. It then focuses on the three pillars of sustainable development in the aviation industry-mainly in the past and present. The discussion also looks at the sustainability of the air travel industry through a future lens with a focus on where it is headed and what might define and transform the sector. The conceptual framework is also presented.
The Sustainability Concept
According to ICAO (2019) and ICAO (2019), sustainability is defined as the ability to cater to the current generations demands without threatening the capacity of coming groups to satisfy their requirements. Sustainability in the air transport sector focuses on the economy, society, and the environment. To achieve sustainability, a balance must exist in these pillars. Sustainability goes beyond ecological concerns to include social and economic issues. The social aspect pertains to how people are impacted by air travel and the benefits or adverse effects on the communities. In contrast, the economic pillar is concerned with the finances and whether the sector can continue to self-support its operations while growing. For a good course, sustainability must include all these three pillars in its definition and realization.
Sustainability in aviation is a long-term strategy to ensure a collective, collaborative and holistic approach to resolving the sectors issues while ensuring a quieter, cleaner, and smarter generation. Its purpose is to help grow the air travel industry ecologically sound while offering freedom of movement for people globally (ICAO, 2019). Sustainability in aviation is a very slippery concept, and the dynamism and changes in the sector make it very hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, sustainability considerations in air travel revolve around initiatives that protect the health and ensure the safety of all stakeholders in the aviation industry (ICAO, 2019). Moreover, ecological concerns like the need to reduce carbon footprint and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Economically, efforts need to be geared towards initiatives that eliminate biases in favor of consumption by adopting policies like the polluter pay principle and internalizing external costs. In addition, emphasis needs to be placed on actions that support equity deliberations as they are accommodating to developing countries and for the next generations.
More than 200 countries are accessible by air travel; aviation networks connect close to 80% of the cities in the world, with more than 36,000 airport pairs globally. The sector employs more than 8 million people. Approximately 3 million people travel by air, and close to 45% of goods are transported by aircraft (ICAO, 2019). These numbers suggest that the world economy is dysfunctional without aviations role. Air travel bolsters sustainability in many ways, just as it is detrimental. It helps realize sustainability by advancing the freedom of movement, the elevation of livelihoods through employment, growth of the worlds economy through trade, technological transfers, and cultural amelioration (ICAO, 2019). However, these benefits have come at a cost to the people and the environment. Gill (2018) supposes that its negative impacts must be mitigated for this means of transport to be feasible.
Projections show that air travelers may double from 3 million recorded in 2011 to 6 million in 2030. Since the industry realizes a fast growth, measures to incorporate sustainability into it should also be stepped up to help further contain the detrimental impacts and towards the zero-emission goal (ICAO, 2019; Karaman et al., 2018). Implementing the three pillars approach to sustainability is essential in advancing the growth of the aviation industry and ensuring the sector continues to be socially, economically, and environmentally feasible. One of the major reasons that focus has shifted to include sustainability in the aviation industry is that it is growing so fast, emitting lots of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to climate change.
In contrast, Karaman et al. (2018) note that not so much action is being taken to keep up with the issues pace. According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (n.d), if this problem remains unchecked, emissions related to air travel could surpass 1.2 billion tones per year by 2025and the people affected by noise pollution would increase by 50% from the figure in 2000 to about 31 million in 2025. Several airports worldwide have taken the initiative to include sustainability measures and technologies in their undertakings (ICAO, 2019). Airports in the UK are not an exemption, with two of its largest airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), at the forefront of ensuring the sustainability of the aviation industry. Airlines and airports in other countries are also committed to the sustainability call, with everyone rushing to beat the rest in providing green fuels for their aircraft.
Perhaps one of the industry inventions is the general aviation sustainability toolkit developed by the Colorado Airport Sustainability Program to ensure sustainability in general aviation airports. The program targets small airports that cannot conduct their research and develop sustainable programs. The Colorado Department of Transportation (n.d) notes that such airports can avail their data on the toolkit, guiding how their operations and resources can be best utilized to ensure sustainability. Other initiatives of ensuring sustainability that airports concerning all the three pillars have adopted include ensuring the rational use of resources. The measures are mostly aimed at energy conservation and include switching to electric charging stations and sparing the use of water and equipment with lower energy ratings.
The Three Pillars of Air Transport Sustainability
Worth noting is that it is a futile task to only try and achieve a single pillar of air transport sustainability since they are all intertwined sublimely. Some of the issues cut across all the three pillars, so addressing them under one pillar will mean that they are addressed under all the pillars. This makes even the discussion and categorization of the issues rather difficult as they fall into multiple categories. For instance, sustainable fuel might be considered an issue under the environmental pillar. However, it also helps cut the firms budgets and is a safe option for peoples health. Considering such a viewpoint, it can also be categorized under economic and social pillars. The pillars of sustainability are discussed in depth below.
Social Pillar
This pillar of sustainability is often overlooked, and perhaps it should be the most considered as people should always come first before the planet (environmental) and profit (economic). A sustainable system should be fully conscious of the people and the community in which it operates (GOV.UK., n.d.). In the transport industry, the stakeholders most likely to be impacted are the travelers and the companys employees. It trickles down to how the stakeholders are treated and whether their safety is guaranteed. On a sustainable basis, airlines and airports need to be aware of how they affect people locally and globally.
An essential pillar that determines air transport and is regarded with top priority is the safety of the transportation network regardless of the interest being served, whether social, commercial, environmental, or operational. The safety of the employees at their workplaces on flights or in the airports is also as important (Heathrow Airport., n.d.). All airports and airlines are guided by safety principles to realize the goal of zero aviation-related injuries. Due to the importance of maintaining safety in the aviation industry, the primary goal of enabling sustainability is to minimize the number and rate of incidents. Aviation giants like Boeing put it forward that if people cannot be better by the time they leave, they should be safe and healthy like when they arrived (Boeing, 2022).
Many aviation companies realize this goal of increasing their levels of safety through the adoption and implementation of safety management systems (SMS) and programs. The impetus behind the program is the belief that all injuries can be prevented. Therefore, achieving 100% safety is a possible endeavor. The key processes involved in SMS include undertaking regular audits, identifying and developing solutions to safety management challenges, and coming up with safety policies for all the stakeholders in the industry. This process leads to the development of safety manuals, guidelines, and standards that govern airports operations (ICAO, 2019). Safety at airports is a collective responsibility; the safety standard approaches stipulate that everyone should always act accordingly in ensuring their safety and those of others.
The future of aviation lies in its ability to protect, connect, and explore new possibilities and leads related to the field. The sector has recently stepped up in advancing this notion and is defined by a diverse team committed to taking up challenges and delivering as required. Results achieved by the inclusion of diverse perspectives from companies like Boeing suggest that the airlines progress towards achieving its aspirations is being realized much faster (Boeing, 2022). With its success, the flight giant has moved to ensure that at least 90% of those occupying top posts in the company are from different diversities. The move aims to incentivize equal opportunity and transparency in the organization, laying the foundation for a healthy and sustainable organizational structure and culture. Progress in the aviation sector is inevitable, and the path forward is advancing equity and inclusion.
One of the major social concerns in the aviation sector is the underrepresentation of various races and genders in the industry. Although gender representation is an issue in other industries like defense, measures are underway to accelerate the inclusion of all genders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as its a major source of the industrys workforce. In 2021, close to 3 million girls and women globally will be in various STEM programs by Boeing (Boeing, 2022). These number represents females of color as well as those from underrepresented groups. Pay equity for equal work irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and race is an important element of the global equity push that airlines and airports widely implement. Much progress has also been made in achieving parity in the recruitment and retention rate for all the groups, as evidenced by diversity report metrics and annual progress by companies like Boeing (Boeing, 2022).
Economic Pillar
Before sustainability, a business was mainly defined by how much profits it made, and it was solely what businesses were about. To be sustainable, firms had to record profits. However, with the coining of the sustainability concept, the economic pillar has grown to include other activities such as risk management, compliance, and proper governance. These recent inclusions to the economic pillar are why organizations have to adhere to sustainability stratagems. The pillar offers a counterbalance to unnecessary procedures that organizations must subscribe to, like the mandatory switch to green energy.
There are several ways to achieve the economic pillar among the increasing efficiency in the air transport industry. With air transport, efficiency can be operationally defined as conducting the operational tasks in air transportation without wasting energy, time, and resources. The need to develop sustainable aircraft fuels and more efficient technology was guided by the CO2 standards of 2016. The use of SAFs can be categorized under the economic pillar like the environmental pillar since economic benefits accrued from green fuels (GOV.UK., n.d). It has pushed the civil aerospace industry to direct more than $15 billion in research, which will improve the industrys efficiency (GOV.UK., n.d).
Emissions from air travel have increased in the past few decades owing to the rapid increase in the volume of travelers who use planes as a mode of transport. Hannah (2020) confirms that emissions from planes have increased seven times since the 1950s and greatly since the 1960s. On the other hand, she reveals that air traffic volumes have increased by about 300 times since the 1950s and 75 times since the 1960s. The figures show that emissions have increased over time but at a much lower rate than air traffic volumes owing to the massive improvements in efficiency in the aviation industry. The improvements can be attributed to various sources such as increased passenger load factor, larger air crafts, and aircraft manufacture with better designs and technology. Several innovations and competitive solutions have been developed to help solve the issue of inefficiency. Among the key technologies registered in the market that have proven efficient is the ASEAN single aviation market (ASAM) idea, which has succeeded in improving airspace management systems such that travelers travel shorter routes, utilizing ait transport efficiently (Gill, 2018).
The future of air transport and its sustainability is hinged on the ability of the various flight companies to continue providing adequate airspace capacity which meets the demands of the growing population (ICAO, 2019). In cases where airspace fails to live up to the expectation of its customers in terms of capacity, there will be several delays in the travel, which have detrimental impacts on the economy and the environment (Hannah, 2020). Among the key concerns about flight delays is especially unforeseen circumstances. It calls for the action of all stakeholders in the sector to help reduce air travel delays to realize sustainability in the sector.
The growth of air transportation means that airlines and airports have to advance their capacity to contain the bulging number of passengers and goods that require that mode of transport. Studies in 2017 indicate that air transport capacities are likely to double by 2036 (Hannah, 2020). Therefore, for the aviation sector to be sustainable, its resources must also increase two-fold within that time frame. An increase in capacity depends on various aspects like technology and state-of-the-art equipment. Technology comes in where air travel needs to be streamlined more than now. Ease of operation and much more efficient equipment translates to faster operations, thereby the ability to handle more flights (Hannah, 2020). On the other hand, the equipment being used have to be more advanced and able to carry more, either through bigger planes or faster plains that can make more trips.
Environmental Pillar
The environmental pillar of sustainability receives the most attention in the aviation industry and other sectors. It continues to be highlighted with most global discourses currently touching on climate change and, therefore, the need for planetary action. Many firms and organizations are now focusing on cutting down their carbon footprints by resorting to eco-friendly products and services and finding ways to remediate the effects of their past operations.
Air transport is associated with environmental concerns like air pollution and noise pollution, especially for people living near aerodromes or flight corridors. Air quality is a major threat facing air travel. The airport in the UK has been fully conscious of the need to contain this threat, with the only anomaly being the high levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) recorded around the Heathrow airport (IATA, 2018). Several technical adjustments to aircraft have led to better planes that produce half as much carbon monoxide. They have recorded a 90% reduction in unburned hydrocarbons and smoke compared to five decades ago. The CTi innovation by Rolls Royce was a breakthrough moment for the aviation industry, and the adoption of the engine by the plane manufacturers is expected to reduce fuel consumption significantly.
One of the key areas in the environmental pillar is the innovation of a sustainable aviation fuel that would ensure the reduction in the amount of pollution currently being recorded. Sustainable fuels are a key area of research in the aviation business, and the future of the industry relies on its ability to run on green fuels. Since the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2008, Gill (2018) has reported that the use of SAFs has been on the rise ever since. He identifies that the two most common SAFs that have been tried are those made from municipal waste and algae. SAFs are considered 100% sustainable jet fuels, as they are sourced from waste material. Instead of littering the environment, the wastes are converted to jet fuel, which reduces CO2 by more than 75%. Gill (2018) supposes that some airlines and airports have already adopted SAFs in sufficient amounts- as of 2017, more than 100 000 flights were using sustainable fuel, and the figures are projected to increase 10-fold by 2020. It shows the potential of SAFs to be the fuel for the future.
During the 38th ICAO assembly, a new noise certification standard was developed, which stipulated that new aircraft to be manufactured were to produce less noise than the older models by at least seven decibels (Karaman et al., 2018). This move was handy in ensuring noise pollution caused by aircraft is lessened. With the latest technologies, even large airplanes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 produce small amounts of noise. Compared to the 1960s, modern airplane models have reduced noise pollution by about 26% (ICAO, 2019). Other technologies like the geared turbofan engines and the Pratt and Whiney technology will mean even lesser noise for the new Bombardier C Series aircraft.
Moreover, there is a need to situate aircraft departure and approaching zones of aircraft in areas with fewer noise impacts to people, like in less densely populated areas. This can be achieved by avoiding the night-time approach as the noise is louder and more aggravating and by placing runways over water bodies to ensure minimal noise impacts people (Karaman et al., 2018). In extreme cases, ventilation and sound insulation can be installed on buildings to reduce the noise levels. Noise as a result of air pollution is a public health concern. It impacts peoples mental capacities, interferes with activities like learning and sleep, and has been attributed to health issues like cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies also reveal it is linked to stress and anxiety in some people.
Several technical amendments have been developed to help mitigate the negative impacts of aircraft on the environment, such as the use of efficient fuel and less noisy engines (IATA, 2019). Some of the interventions also involve adjusting flight procedures; such s the execution of CDA, where an airplane descends from an optimal position with minimal thrust, and CCD, where an aircraft can cut the amount of fuel it consumes and the emissions it produces by obtaining the initial cruise flight level at minimum velocity with optimal engine thrust settings (Karaman et al., 2018). These techniques help reduce more than 150kg of CO2 that would have been emitted through the other alternative conventional methods. Adjusting aircraft wingtips has also reduced fuel consumption by close to 5%.
ICAO has laid regulations for producing new-generation aircraft that ensure the newer versions adhere to the commitment to reducing climate change impact. Several airways like Virgin Airways and British Airways have also been working on alternative sources of jet fuels, especially the potential switch to 100% biofuels. A report by ICAO (2019) indicated that airplanes had become more energy efficient by about 71% compared to four decades ago. At most airports, there are pre-conditioned air supplies at terminal gates that the planes use to switch to auxiliary power, thereby decimating pollutants and the use of fossil fuels. With proper management, reduced taxiing and holding times at airports have been realized. Congestion at airports has been reduced with more direct taxiways.
The Future of the Aviation Industry
The future of aviation depends on elements that will further augment the three pillars of sustainability, increase economic viability and explore various environmental and governance opportunities. Currently, emphasis is also being placed on corporate social responsibility to further social sustainability, especially the occupational health and safety of employees and the health and safety of the aviation ecosystem. ICAO (2019) suggests sustainability of the sector should be guided by environmental initiatives for sustainable aviation organizations, evaluation of factors that make operations in aviation sustainable, and focus on sustainability of the working environments.
As identified earlier, sustainability is a cyclic process and a long-term strategy for ensuring continuity, growth, and prosperity in the various facets of life (ICAO, 2019). Future trends in aviation are hinged on tackling climate changes, air pollution, and noise reduction while ensuring the safety and health of the people and making profits. Moreover, the future goal of the aerospace industry should be the development of a sustainable culture than just a day-to-day practice. Zhang and Graham (2020) identify the key factors that will dictate the industry is headed; technology and human capacities, and partnerships.
The continuance of growth in the aviation sector presents serious challenges for sustainability. The air transportation sector has made major strides in as much as sustainability is concerned, and the future is promising to be even brighter for the aviation industry (IATA, 2019). This will be possible through rigorous research and the improvements and technological advancements currently being witnessed. The kind of innovations and inventions in the sector is likely to be the key to its transformation into a sustainable industry owing to the large funding channeled towards research (Ansell and Haran, 2020). However, most technological advancements are likely to be environmental, focusing on green energy and more efficient aircraft. Since airports do not have any direct linkages to the development of technologies, their main input in ensuring technological advancements is through supporting the research of other institutions through actions such as funding and technical and human capacity support.
The role of disruptive technologies in increasing the efficiency of operations is on the rise, with a focus on how data and data analytics can be the focal point for helping airlines and airports double down on emissions and lessening their carbon footprint. Each new generation of aircraft being developed is about 20% more energy-efficient, but with over $15 billion being spent on research annually, the efficiency will get even better (Ansell and Haran, 2020). There are projections that hybrid and electric airplanes might hit the aviation sector for short-haul flights in the coming decade. Aviation technologies are developing rapidly, and several are projected to hit the markets very soon, among them electric aircraft, UAVs, autonomous flights, avionic aircraft management technologies, advanced material, and cyber security. In the multilevel paradigm, these technologies rely on the choice of hardware as they influence the internal operations of the aircraft; therefore, the focus will also remain on producing more efficient hardware like software.
In its principles, International Air Transport Authority (IATA, 2018) says that the aviation industry of tomorrow will be guided by the need to put the safety and security of the people first and should be robust and flexible enough to evolve with the constantly evolving global environment. One such way of realizing that it suggests is the need for safety network teams and sound occupational safety and health standards in the workplace, both for the employees and the customers. Moreover, it suggested that those tasked with the duties at the airports should be qualified and competent to be able to handle the responsibilities bestowed on them (IATA, 2019). Currently, there is a shortage of the right people with the right skills in the aerospace industry. Going forward, more emphasis should be placed on educating people of all ages and adopting a sustainable workforce model that has elements of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Individual companies have always made research efforts, but recently there has been a paradigm shift for global collaboration for a stronger post-pandemic future. This has been motivated by the fact that the various companies and firms have different approaches to finding solutions to the challenges faced in the industry. The most viable way forward is by harmonizing their operations toward achieving a common goal (IATA, 2018; IATA, 2019). Sustainable aviation and aerospace research will also rely on engaging and supporting regulators with research and evidence to craft modern and sufficient regulations. Trends are now inclining more towards plans to support and mobilize support for the future of aviation.
Theoretical Framework
Sustainable development is based on the theoretical framework for operationalizing sustainability by Lange
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