As an increasing number of companies seek to assess the impact of business travel on the environment the head of the world's biggest airline organisation hit back this week at critics who claim flying is a major but unbridled source of pollution.
Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of IATA (the International Air Transport Association) targeted what he claimed were four “myths” surrounding air travel.
“Myth 1: Air transport is a major cause of global warming. Not true. We are 2% of CO2 emissions - but support 8% of GDP.
“Myth 2: International air transport is excluded from Kyoto and doing nothing. Not true. We were concerned about the environment long before Kyoto. Fuel efficiency improved 70% over 40 years.
“Myth 3: Aviation is the most polluting form of transport. Not true. Modern aircraft consume 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometres. Show me a hybrid car that can achieve that.
“Myth 4: Air transport is a luxury. Not true. We are a necessity. Eighty percent of our emissions are from trips over 1,500 km for which there is no economic alternative.
Mr. Bisignani, who was speaking in Paris at IATA's annual meeting and world air transport summit, said Governments too often based policies on such myths. But killing them alone was not a solution. The associaton had developed a three point programme to improve fuel efficiency.
First, it was fighting for more direct routes. In 2005 its work with governments optimised 300 routes, saving 6.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Second, IATA teams were working with airline operations departments to spread best practice. Last year this saved 4.3 million tonnes of CO2. And third, the association was seeking further airspace and air traffic control improvements which helped to save 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 in 2005.
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