Airlines commit to cutting emissions

A number of airlines are planning to reduce aircraft emissions by half by 2050.The 230 international airlines, members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), hope the move will prevent some governments from adding additional taxes on long-haul services, such as flights to South Africa.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association, explained the airline industry is the only one to have taken steps to tackle the carbon emission problem via a global framework.

“It recognises the need for governments and industry to work together. This is a good first step that paves the way for future achievements,” he added.

ICAO  members have jointly agreed to improve their planes’ fuel efficiency levels by two per cent and introduce a recognised standard for all aircraft engines by 2013.

The headquarters of the ICAO is in Montreal, Canada and the organisation has a number of regional offices in major cities worldwide.

Written by Alex Cochrane.