Projections For Reducing Aircraft Emissions

J. Air L. & Com. (Fall, 2012)

39 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2012 Last revised: 14 Feb 2013

See all articles by Kathryn Kisska-Schulze

Kathryn Kisska-Schulze

Clemson University College of Business

Gregory P. Tapis

Mississippi State University - Department of Management and Information Systems

Date Written: May 1, 2012

Abstract

The FAA reports that the commercial airline industry flew 713 million passengers in 2010 and is projected to increase to 1.27 billion by 2031. Per the IATA, the airline industry’s global net profit was expected to reach $4.9 billion in 2012, accounting for fifteen million jobs worldwide and contributing to $13.2 trillion of the U.S. GDP. The FAA further forecasts that U.S. mainline and regional air carriers will increase from 704 million in 2009 to 1.2 billion in 2030. In light of these growing numbers, one of the largest queries is what is being done to minimize the aviation industry’s impact on the environment? In an industry where growth is forecast, the potential for continued climate change is frightening. While it is clear that agencies and organizations are working towards better understanding the commercial aviation industry’s footprint on the environment and developing solutions for sustainability, the question remains whether the airline industry can drastically reduce its carbon footprint and yet continue to remain in business? To understand the impact of commercial airline emissions on the environment and the commercial future of this industry, this paper offers (I) a brief synopsis of the evolution of commercial air travel, (II) an evaluation of aircraft emissions and their effects on the environment, (III) a study of the regulatory and private sector standards currently in place for aircraft emissions, (IV) a projection of the future environmental impact of the airline industry, (V) a review of the judicial system’s influence on aircraft emissions, and (VI) proposals for reducing aircraft emissions in the U.S. in order to combat the growth of the global commercial airline industry and its effects on the environment.

Keywords: aircraft, emissions, environment, airline

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

Kisska-Schulze, Kathryn and Tapis, Gregory P., Projections For Reducing Aircraft Emissions (May 1, 2012). J. Air L. & Com. (Fall, 2012), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2002013

Kathryn Kisska-Schulze (Contact Author)

Clemson University College of Business ( email )

Clemson, SC 29631
United States

Gregory P. Tapis

Mississippi State University - Department of Management and Information Systems ( email )

United States

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