Airport, airline and other aviation industry leaders have reiterated that long-term climate action should be a priority alongside economic recovery in the forseeable future during the Global Sustainable Aviation Forum, which was hosted online by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) on Tuesday 29 September.
Airports Council International (ACI) World’s Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, emphasised the need to focus on sustainability as part of the industry’s long-term recovery from COVID-19. “To ensure that aviation can continue to provide the economic and social benefits, it is crucial that we pursue a green recovery and lay the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable industry for the long term. Airports are central to the interconnected and interdependent aviation ecosystem. Airports and their partners in the aviation industry need the support of appropriate regulation and government policies to facilitate a green recovery and push for real change.”
ATAG’s Executive Director, Michael Gill, noted that, “As we plan for the recovery of air connectivity, we also must prioritise our environmental progress.” Increasing the production, supply and deliver of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be key to achieving a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. “We have the next decade to set the scene for sustainable global connectivity for the next 30-40 years,” he added.
Meanwhile Simon Hocquard, Director General of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), said, “Meeting our ambitious sustainability goals continues to be of paramount importance and will only happen if everyone in the aviation system plays their part. From implementing new operational procedures to adopting the latest technologies, the ATM industry has an important role to play in improving the efficiency of aviation in the near term, before new electric aircraft technologies or zero carbon fuels come on stream.”
