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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Low-Cost Carriers and U.S. Aviation Emissions Growth, 2005 to 2019

Using their own Global Aviation Carbon Assessment (GACA) model, the authors present the first detailed inventory of fuel consumption by commercial flights in the United States. The authors’ analysis finds that f between 2005 and 2019 fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from U.S. airlines increased by 7%. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are the major source of the growth in emissions. Major carriers compensated for almost 90% of their traffic growth by improving fuel efficiency between 2005 and 2019, while LCC traffic increased nearly 3.5 times faster over the same period, driving large increases in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. LCCs were responsible for 88% of growth in fuel use and CO₂ emissions from U.S. airlines between 2005 and 2019, despite having relatively high fuel efficiency due to their use of newer aircraft, higher load factors, and higher seating densities. These findings show the need to address U.S. domestic aviation emissions, which comprised 15% of the worldwide total and are not covered by international agreements. if it is to meet its goal of capping CO₂ emissions at 2005 levels, the U.S. should pay particular attention to emissions by LCCs. Additionally, investments should be made in developing sustainable aviation technologies and fuels. To mitigate LCC emission levels, alternative fuels and electrification could be used on regional and short flights, while synthetic fuels or biofuels could be used on medium- and long-haul flights for which electricity and hydrogen would be less effective.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 36p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01777031
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 23 2021 3:23PM