IATA calls Asia to participate in environment debate
REQUEST: The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
has called on Asia to participate strongly in the environment debate.
"The UN attributes 2% of global carbon emissions to aviation and we are
working hard to limit that figure.
The industry has a good story to tell on technical achievements-fuel
efficiency improved 70% in the last four decades. And we have a strong
message for governments-get on board with efficiency. The UN estimates
that there is 12% efficiency to be gained from better air traffic
management," IATA's Director General and CEO, said Giovanni Bisignani.
"Governments are far too quick to impose taxes-such as the doubling
of the UK air passenger duty that puts GBP 1 billion into government
coffers. But they are slow to implement air traffic management solutions
that will improve environmental performance.
The list of potential improvements spans the globe-from Europe's
failure to implement a single sky to an inefficient approach to Hong
Kong that can waste up to 25 minutes of fuel. If governments are serious
about the environment, this must change. We must send this message
loudly and clearly in Asia and around the world," said Bisignani.
Bisignani was speaking in Hong Kong at the Greener Skies Conference
organised by Orient Aviation, where he highlighted the four pillars of
IATA's environment policy.
Bisignani also said Asia's efforts in reducing emissions. The average
age of Asia's fleet is 10 years compared to the global average of 12,
making Asia's fleet more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
Australia also employs flexible tracks to allow aircraft to take
advantage of the best flying conditions and reduce each flight time to
Asia by an average of 2 to 3 minutes.
"Asia is a major player in the industry. Now is the time to shout
politely to communicate our story in Asia - to ensure that governments
and the public understand the good things we are doing, and to implicate
governments in the solutions.
This will be Asia's best insurance against the same sort of crisis
faced in Europe," said Bisignani. |