For the first time ever, over 300 global aviation leaders and experts representing all industry disciplines, have come together…
For the first time ever, over 300 global aviation leaders and experts representing all industry disciplines, have come together to discuss ways to further improve the industry’s environmental performance.
The inaugural Aviation & Environment Summit co-organised under the umbrella of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) – with Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Coordinating Council for the Aerospace Industries Association (ICCAIA) – provided a unique opportunity for airlines, airports, air navigation services providers and manufacturers to jointly define recommendations to ensure a fair balance between economic benefits, social development and environmental responsibility.
According to Philippe Rochat, Executive Director of ATAG: “Air transport makes a unique contribution to the development of our global society. It facilitates trade and tourism, brings people and cultures together and sustains millions of jobs all around the world. Working together is the best way for the air transport industry to continue to serve society and simultaneously minimise its environmental impact”.
Building on its impressive environmental record, which includes a 70% reduction in noise and emissions at source during the past 40 years, the aviation industry reaffirmed its commitment to work in partnership to:
- further develop and use new technologies and operational procedures aimed at minimising noise, fuel consumption and emissions
- share and voluntarily apply best environmental practices
- establish and build constructive dialogues with local communities and authorities around airports to ensure that their needs and expectations are duly taken into consideration
Summit participants also urged governments to actively contribute to industry efforts and
commitments by:
- adopting and implementing effective land-use management policies in the vicinity of airports
- working with airports and air navigation service providers to ensure environmentallyresponsible airport expansion and air route efficiency
- continuing to work through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to
develop effective and efficient policies to address the environmental impacts of aviation
Plans are already underway to hold the second Summit in March 2006. In the meantime, Philippe Rochat concluded: the aviation industry is dedicated to proactively sustaining and broadening communications with all its partners.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
