Sustainable travel

AVIATION'S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

As a sector, aviation faces obvious sustainability challenges. The long-term sustainability of travel requirements for sports organisations can be enursed through partnerships with firms focused on helping you meet your carbon neutrality goals.

Aviation is essential to our global society as a driver of economic development that helps bring together people, businesses and communities. Whether it's tourism, supply chains, or the worldwide sports industry, it would not be easy to envisage a world without air transport.

The sector creates and supports jobs and contributes to the lives of millions of people around the world. However, while aviation's undoubted economic and social advantages are clear, it is essential to understand that these benefits also come at an environmental cost.

A blueprint for long term sustainability

Big and small players in the aviation industry increasingly understand the importance of rethinking their business models. The sector is reevaluating everything from aircraft design and manufacturing processes, all the way to how aircraft operate, the fuel they use, how they are serviced, and how they are disposed of at the end of the lifecycle.

Around 2 per cent of human-produced CO2 emissions come from aviation - and the industry is committed to addressing climate change in the short, medium and long term.

Aviation has had ambitious and longterm climate change plans for several years - including Waypoint 2050 - a blueprint for aviation's sustainable future in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change.

From airframe innovation to sustainable fuels, the report details how the sector may meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 with the support of governments and the energy industry.

Sustainable fuels and next-generation technology

In the longer-term, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will see aviation transition away from fossil fuels by 2050 as part of a broader industry shift, including lowcarbon electricity and green hydrogen.

Airlines are already trialling regular commercial flights using alternative fuels. In April 2022, Turkish Airlines even launched its sustainability-themed Airbus 321 to highlight its first flight using environmentally-friendly biofuel with a zero-waste principle.

The sustainable fuel, which reduces emissions by 87 per cent, will be used for one day a week on the chosen route, and the airline is reportedly planning to use it more widely in the future.

Whether you're travelling for work or leisure, chances are the airline and aircraft you're flying on will be greener than ever before. The aviation industry has entered an era of environmental responsibility and sustainability – and technology is the key to helping manufacturers achieve both.

Airlines and operators have reportedly spent over $1 trillion purchasing thousands of latest-generation aircraft since the sector's first long-term climate commitment in 2009.

Since the first jet engines were introduced, aircraft manufacturers have delivered efficiency improvements of around 90%. They will continue to develop evolutionary and revolutionary airframe and propulsion systems, including electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Whether it's the Airbus NEO (New Engine Option) family or Boeing's groundbreaking Dreamliner, manufacturers now share green

ambitions and constantly improve their products and optimise fuel efficiency during operations. Last year, Boeing announced bold plans to begin producing commercial aircraft capable of flying on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

The manufacturers of smaller jets are also working hard to develop aircraft which provide a sustainable future for private aviation. Advancements in overall manufacturing mean that the newest jets are more fuel-efficient than ever before - with aircraft such as the just-debuted Dassault Falcon 6X offering low fuel burn and ultra-efficient performance.

Offsetting emissions and improving operational efficiency

While the aviation industry has set ambitious goals for the future, it has also recognised that carbon offsetting is an issue of increasing importance for consumers today.

Across the sector, there is already a vast range of activities to reduce aviation CO2 emissions, providing early climate action whilst longer-term measures are developed.

Advising on the most fuel-efficient aircraft options and offering carbon offsetting are just two areas where a charter specialist like ACC can assist its clients.

Continued improvements in the efficiency of operations allow more travellers to be carried in a single flight, resulting in the lowest carbon footprint per passenger per kilometre.

While hub and spoke models suited many large airlines in the past, pointto-point travel often represents a significantly more efficient option.

Flights directly to and from the nearest airports are where charter aviation truly comes into its own to save emissions - not to mention a lot of time and hassle for passengers.

Charter can also give clients the freedom to tailor flight operations to the smallest touches - from bamboo toilet tissue and biodegradable amenities to nature-friendly pillows and blankets produced with recycled threads to help save on water.

Richard Smith, Director of Charter at ACC Aviation, said: "The aviation industry has a long way to go but has embraced changes in the last decade and there is now great momentum in this area, so things are fast improving. As the environment and sustainability become increasingly important issues for passengers, it's vital to ACC that we're leading the charter industry. "As a business, we will offer all clients a route to high sustainability for their air travel options, and we will be unveiling a raft of new initiatives in 2022. Our priority is to reduce our carbon footprint, and we hope that our programme will provide an opportunity for our customers to join us in these efforts."

To discuss how ACC Aviation can help you coordinate sustainable travel requirements, speak to one of their air charter experts on +44 (0)17 3723 2230 or email charters@accaviation. com. For more, visit: www.accaviation.com