Towards meeting the IATA-agreed 1.5% average annual fuel efficiency improvements between 2010 and 2020: the current progress being made by U.S. air carriers
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to see if airlines in general, and U.S. air-carriers in particular, are meeting their IATA-agreed 1.5% average annual fuel efficiency improvements between 2010 and 2020. To assess the fuel efficiency performance, a quantitative analysis was performed using data provided by ICAO, IATA and the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Form 41 Schedules P 12(a) and T-2. The metric used to assess fuel efficiency is the one advanced by ICAO, namely Litres per Revenue Tonne Kilometre performed. Trends are examined over an extended timeframe to establish annual fuel efficiency improvements. The findings show that the overall performance of U.S. air-carriers from 2010 to 2018 has just met IATA’s 1.5% target with a 1.52% year-upon-year annual fuel efficiency improvement, with domestic operations showing a greater level of improvement than international operations. Such performance suggests that the U.S.A, and by inference, the rest of the world, are just likely to meet their IATA target by 2020. This achievement has largely been made possible through industry’s tremendous efforts to enhance aircraft engine technologies, implement operational improvements, and reduce airframe weight through the extensive application of composite materials.
First published online 27 February 2020
Keyword : aviation, fuel efficiency, revenue tonne-kilometre, scheduled and non-scheduled service, U.S. air carriers
How to Cite
Cho, K. S., Li, G., & Bardell, N. (2019). Towards meeting the IATA-agreed 1.5% average annual fuel efficiency improvements between 2010 and 2020: the current progress being made by U.S. air carriers. Aviation, 23(4), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.3846/aviation.2019.12019
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Hamerton, I., & Mooring, L. (2012). 7 – The use of thermosets in aerospace applications (pp. 189–227). In Q. Guo (Ed.), Thermosets, 2012, 189–227. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780857090867500079
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IATA. (2009). Resolution on implementation of the aviation carbon-neutral growth (CNG2020) strategy. https://www.iata.org/contentassets/3a0afea48e6e400f90e748edcf43d3c3/agm69-resolution-cng2020.pdf
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IATA. (2018c). Air freight demand ends year Up 3.5%, despite softening late 2018. https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2019-02-06-01.aspx
IATA. (2019). About us. https://www.iata.org/about/Pages/index.aspx
ICAO. (2009, 23–27 November). Review of the classification and definitions used for civil aviation activities. Tenth Session of the Statistics division, STA/10-WP/7. Montreal.
ICAO. (2010). International civil aviation organization. Assembly Resolutions in Force (as of 8 October 2010). Doc 9958, ISBN 978-92-9231-773-7.
ICAO. (2017). ICAO Council adopts new CO2 emissions standard for aircraft (Para 4). https://www.icao.int/newsroom/pages/icao-council-adopts-new-co2-emissions-standard-for-aircraft.aspx
ICAO. (2019). Member states. https://www.icao.int/Member-States/Member%20States.Multilingual.pdf
Joshi, S.C., & Sheikh, A. A. (2015). 3D printing in aerospace and its long-term sustainability. Virtual and Physical Prototyping, 10(4), 175–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2015.1111519
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Lumbroso, A. (2019). Aviation liberalisation: What headwinds do we still face? Journal of Air Transport Management, 74, 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2018.09.003
Miyoshi, C., & Merkert R. (2010). Changes in carbon efficiency, unit cost of firms over time and the impacts of the fuel price – an empirical analysis of major European airlines. Porto, Portugal.
Nangia, R. (2006). Efficiency parameters for modern commercial aircraft. The Aeronautical Journal, 110(110), 495–510. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001924000001391
NASA. (2017). Improving aerospace vehicle efficiency. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/improving-aerospace-vehicle-efficiency
Nelson, E. S. & Reddy, D. R. (2018). Green aviation: reduction of environmental impact through aircraft technology and alternative fuels. Sustainable Energy Developments, CRC Press, London, UK. https://doi.org/10.1201/b20287
Peeters, P., Middel, J., & Hoolhorst, A. (2005). Fuel efficiency of commercial aircraft: an overview of historical and future trends. NLR-CR-2005-669.
Sádaba, S., Martínez-Hergueta, F., Lopes, C. S., Gonzalez, C., & Llorca, J. (2015). 10 – Virtual testing of impact in fiber reinforced laminates. In P. W. R. Beaumont, C. Soutis, & A. Hodzic (Eds.), Structural integrity and durability of advanced composites (pp. 247–270). Woodhead Publishing. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081001370000109
Staples, M. D., Malina, R., Suresh, P., Hileman, J. I., & Barrett, S. R. H. (2018). Aviation CO2 emissions reductions from the use of alternative jet fuels. Energy Policy, 114, 342–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.12.007
Stemart, C. (2015). Fuel and flight efficiency services by airbus. AACO 7th Aviation Fuel Forum. Dubai, UAE.T-100 Traffic Reporting Guide. (2007). U. S. Department of Transportation.
United Nations. (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future.
United Technologies Corporation – Pratt & Whitney Division. (2019). Pratt & Whitney GTF engine. https://www.pw.utc.com/products-and-services/products/commercial-engines/Pratt-and-Whitney-GTF-Engine/
Zhang, A., Hanaoka, S., Inamura, H., & Ishikura, T. (2008). Low-cost carriers in Asia: Deregulation, regional liberalization and secondary airports. Research in Transportation Economics, 24(1), 36–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2009.01.001