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Update on aviation’s non-CO2 effects
9 December 2020: The European Commission has requested that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) conduct an updated analysis of the non-CO2 effects of aviation on climate change to fulfil the requirement of the EU Emissions Trading System Directive (Art. 30.4).
The report builds on the latest scientific knowledge and confirms that the impacts of non-CO2 emissions are just as significant as CO2 emissions although it is more complicated to measure these non-CO2 effects.
Guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantine of air travellers
At the end of October, the European Commission issued a Communication on additional COVID-19 response measures, mandating EASA and ECDC to work on guidelines on testing which could be used by public health authorities, airlines and airports to help the safe arrival of passengers – and to develop an EU Health Safety testing protocol, with the full involvement of national authorities.
Brexit deal secured
24 December 2020: Following negotiations throughout 2020, a Brexit deal between the UK and EU was agreed on 24 December. On transport, the agreement provides for “continued and sustainable air, road, rail and maritime connectivity, though market access falls below what the Single Market offers.
Portuguese Presidency addresses TRAN Committee
27 January 2021: In an address to the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) on 26 January, the Portuguese Presidency has given more detail on its plans to re-establish tourism in Europe and rejuvenate the aviation sector, including its aims for the Single European Sky, EU Slots Regulation, air passenger rights and alternative fuels.
Market-based measures
Market-based measures, also known as economic measures, play a big role in the decarbonisation of the sector as they complement the other solutions until the sector can rely only on in-sector emission reductions. For the airline industry, there are two types of economic measures available: a cap and trade system, like the EU ETS, and carbon offsetting, like CORSIA.
EU ETS
Sustainable aviation fuels
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), will be crucial to decarbonise aviation in the short term. SAFs are available on the market as a certified drop-in fuel, blended with conventional jet fuel. There are currently 6 pathways for blending bio-based fuels with conventional aviation fuels that are certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International, with the maximum blend allowed in these cases being 50%.
Technology
Airlines of all sizes as well as aviation manufacturers are looking carefully at all avenues for reducing carbon emissions. Research into efficiency improvements and electric taxiing as well as implementing better air traffic management, for example, should be welcomed and encouraged.
It is important to recognise, however, that propulsion is the key area where innovation is required to truly enable low-carbon and even zero-emission flights.
There are different emissions-reducing propulsion technologies:
Operations
As for operational improvements, a substantial amount of fuel is wasted due to inefficient routing. Better flight routing could reduce inefficient aviation operations growth and cut consumption by 10% according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Whereas, according to EUROCONTROL’s Performance Review Report, the measures could lead to a 6% emission reduction in Europe.
What COVID-19 did to European aviation in 2020
EUROCONTROL’s latest Think Paper, the eighth in a series of thought-provoking papers aimed at industry leaders and policy-makers, uses exclusive EUROCONTROL aviation data to run the big numbers for 2020, providing a timely and authoritative review of the total impact of COVID-19 across all industry stakeholders.
The paper explores the impact on overall flight demand, airline and aircraft, airports, states and air navigation service providers.