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Aviation Authorities Urged to Revise Arrival and Departure Procedures to Save Fuel and Reduce Emissions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for aviation authorities to revise arrival and departure procedures at Hong Kong's airport to save fuel and reduce carbon emissions. The changes could result in the saving of 84,000 tonnes of jet fuel every year, equivalent to 118,500 cars travelling 10,000km a year, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 250,000 tonnes annually.

Key Takeaways:

  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that changing arrival and departure procedures at Hong Kong's airport could save 84,000 tonnes of jet fuel every year.
  • This would result in a reduction of 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions from 118,500 cars travelling 10,000km a year.
  • Flights entering Hong Kong are required to travel an extra 140 nautical miles and flights leaving the city an extra 60 nautical miles due to the restrictive airspace over the Pearl River Delta.
  • The Chinese military's air control zone over the region creates an invisible wall for civil aviation, leading to lengthy arrival and departure procedures.
  • The IATA has proposed revising existing procedures to the Hong Kong authorities, which could save up to 8,850 hours of flying time a year.
  • Cathay Pacific Airways is considering following a British Airways initiative to invite passengers to buy credits to offset carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Under the scheme, passengers are asked to calculate and pay a share of the cost of neutralising the impact of those emissions, with a flight between Heathrow and Hong Kong generating 2.18 tonnes per passenger and costing US$29.54 to offset.
  • Less than 1% of British Airways' passengers have taken up the offset option since its introduction.

Statistics:

  • 84,000 tones of jet fuel could be saved every year if aviation authorities change arrival and departure procedures at Hong Kong's airport.
  • 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced annually.
  • 118,500 cars travelling 10,000km a year would have the same carbon dioxide emissions impact as the saved fuel.
  • Flights entering Hong Kong are required to travel an extra 140 nautical miles, and flights leaving the city an extra 60 nautical miles.
  • 8,850 hours of flying time could be saved a year with the proposed changes.
  • A flight between Heathrow and Hong Kong generates 2.18 tonnes per passenger of carbon dioxide emissions.

Sources:

  • International Air Transport Association
  • Civil Aviation Department
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific Airways
  • Linden Coppell, Cathay Pacific's environmental manager
  • Spokesman for British Airways in Britain

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