New Technology Aircraft

RwandAir is expected to take delivery of two Boeing 737-800s in July and September 2011. The prospect of this makes the airline's CEO, Mr. John Mirenge, enthuse: "For the very first time RwandAir will be purchasing two brand new aircraft. We are very proud of these Boeing 737-800s which will be fitted with the latest IFE technology from Panasonic." RwandAir counts among several African airlines engaged in fleet upgrade, pursuant to global industry target of improving eco-efficiency, besides other benefits associated with new-generation aircraft.

In the short- to medium-term, the most effective response to aviation's environmental challenges would be the use of environment-friendly aircraft and engines, as already in use currently, besides Air Traffic  Management (ATM)-enhanced efficient flight routings. In the longer-term could emerge emission-free biofuels and zero-emissions aircraft. Specifically, the industry continues to improve aircraft's environmental performance, targeting incremental reduction in emissions and noise, and ultimately zero-emissions aircraft in the next 50 years. And Africa's best response to manage environmental impact should be to effectively utilize improved aircraft and engine technologies, besides improved ATM technologies, as they become available.

Because of the challenges brought on by the emission of harmful gases (especially carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx)) as well as noise in the course of aviation activities, the global aviation industry now views environmental protection as one of its key priorities, besides safety and security. The industry is under pressure from within to cut fuel consumption, as emissions are linked to fuel burn - and fuel consumption in itself is costly for airlines. Industry also faces pressure from outside whereby governments cum policy-makers and environmentalists want acute reduction in aviation-made emissions linked to environmental degradation and global warming. Newer aircraft already flying or ordered in Africa are expected to deliver crucial (ecological) efficiencies for aviation, especially given that global efforts to reduce aviation's impact on the ecology are yet much dependent on aircraft technology and aircraft operation.

Global Efforts On Aircraft Emissions

The global industry objective of cutting aviation emissions is based largely on improved aircraft and engine technology, as well as aircraft operations, enhanced current and future ATM technology, as well as the search for the replacement of current fossil-based aviation fuel with bio-fuels. Airports are also improving ground operations to, among others, avoid delaying aircraft in the air thereby preventing unnecessary emissions from such aircraft.

A number of breakthroughs have so far been achieved, but greater impact of these efforts on the industry are expected in the medium- to longer-terms in line with industry's long-term emissions reduction targets. ICAO Environmental Report 2010 reveals that "following the mandate from the 2009 ICAO High-Level Meeting, the eighth meeting of ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection in February 2010 established a plan that aims to establish an aircraft CO2 emissions Standard by 2013."

Mr. Phillipe Fonta, Head of Environmental Policy of the Airbus Engineering's Center of Competence (CoC) Powerplant, states that the industry emissions reduction initiatives target

- An average improvement of 1.5% per year in terms of fuel efficiency.

- Carbon neutral growth from 2020 onwards.

- An absolute reduction of net CO2 emissions by 50% in 2050, compared to 2005 levels." He says ICAO has recently developed a basket of measures to reduce the impact of aviation on climate change and one element of this basket is the 'development of a CO2 standard for new aircraft types, consistent with CAEP recommendations', as highlighted in the recommendations of the ICAO High-level Meeting on International Aviation and Climate Change (HLM) in October 2009."

IATA also has a four-pillar strategy to reduce emissions, which include investment in technology; effective operations; efficient infrastructure and positive economic instruments.

Raising Efficiencies: What Are The Efforts In Africa?

As in other regions, the thrust of Africa's response to emissions challenge is fleet renewal which increases eco-efficiency and global competitiveness. Individual airline efforts are evident as several airlines have received or ordered new technology aircraft to power their operations. Air navigation service providers' (ANSPs) efforts within Africa have aimed at bringing efficiencies in flight operations within certain regions in the shorter-term.

A longer-term objective spearheaded by AFI ANSPs and their global partners is to create interoperability and harmonization of ATM infrastructure pursuant to the actualization of a Single African Sky. The next meeting on this crucial subject-matter is scheduled for Algeria in 2012. Besides, IATA, alongside some industry partners, has also tried to deliver route management initiatives that would help airlines save fuel and ipso facto reduce emissions.

In the area of aircraft technology, which is key to aircraft emissions control, perhaps Africa's closest contribution is in the manufacture of airplane parts for Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft through South Africa's Aerosud.

Beyond The Old Argument

In the unfolding aviation clime, older aircraft should be seen as a stopgap; while airlines, looking beyond the difficulties that compel their use of old inefficient aircraft, should deepen efforts to gradually build-up fleets of more efficient airplanes which will ready them for the future. Essentially, industry's inexorable improvement plans including future ATM, enhancements in ecological performance i.e. concerning noise and emissions, and even passenger appeal largely demand the use of new technology aircraft. The good news is that besides efficiencies, new technology aircraft brings psychological boost to staff and encourages improved overall airline management - which could indeed be part of pre-conditions in acquiring the new airplanes.

What Is Needed

The adoption of efficiency-based aircraft is already taking place in Africa. What is needed is for further empowerment of operators on the continent, where, among other measures, partners such as aircraft Manufacturers, lessors, governments and financial institutions strongly commit to fleet renewal in Africa - as part of larger global emissions reduction efforts.

African airlines now need to elevate their operating standards to become more attractive to investment partners. And they must also be willing to become co-owners of bigger virile airlines that can attract funding for new airplanes. In the case of government-owned airlines, government must be ready to hands-off the day-to-day management of these airlines and allow competent private investors to rehabilitate their so-called national carriers. Though new airplanes alone are not a guarantee to eliminate emissions and achieve profitable airline operation, these airplanes provide a solid basis upon which to build emission reduction strategies and airline profitability, which need be supported mainly by sound management and business plan, efficient ATM and favourable business environment.

Intra-African Partnerships Would Help

The challenge of meeting emissions requirements - as well as the on-going efforts to transition to future ATM - which (necessitate?) the use of efficient technology aircraft, seems to provide an opportunity for African airlines to create partnerships among themselves that would empower them to acquire required modern aircraft, and overall provide improved operations. Already, Air Nigeria, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, South African Airways, ASKY, among others, are exploring these partnerships usually involving two counterpart airlines. However, on a larger scale, larger partnerships involving several African airlines from all parts of Africa, for instance, is the kind of initiative that Africa needs now to meet ecological and other emerging industry benchmarks, and importantly win back its lost marketshare.

African Emission Framework?

'Has emissions become an urgent challenge in Africa?' some may ask. However, it is important to defuse possible arguments that emissions has not become a major challenge in Africa given Africa's about 3 per cent of global traffic, given the forests that help regulate effects of carbon emissions in Africa and given that Africa has yet to grapple with other challenges including basic survival. Instructively, aviation is a global industry with uniform standards and recommended practices, and every region - including Africa - should practise according to ICAO's minimum universal guidelines.

Individual airlines, therefore, should strive to gradually improve their ecological performance, while continental groupings like the African Civil Aviation Commision (AFCAC) working with civil aviation authorities should help drive fleet renewal in Africa. Governments must also create avenue for cross-border airline partnerships by creating liberalization and market access while also establishing conducive fiscal environments and ratifying (the Cape Town Convention) which would enable airlines have easy access to new technology airplanes.

As the above enabling factors are being activated, it may be helpful to evolve an African emissions framework, which will, perhaps, promote fleet renewal and encourage such other programmes like harmonization of the infrastructure and services of AFI ANSPs, which would enhance efficient flight routings thereby reducing time of flight and resultant emissions.

Africa's Response To EU ETS

Granted that Africa should comply with ICAO provisions on emissions reduction, importantly, partners in Africa's aviation development should establish effective response to unilateral policies on emission including European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) expected from next year for non-EU operators. Considering the global endorsement that any of such interventions must be in accord with ICAO guidelines, Africa should strongly defend its own interests regarding the planned ETS, or any such unilateral intervention, as many African airlines are either operating or planning to operate to the EU.

Getting There

Although Africa faces numerous other challenges, the continent needs to sustain spirited efforts in adoption of new technology, improved operations and economic measures which are realizable means of reaching emissions reduction goals in Africa and elsewhere. Meeting emissions requirements through the use of modern aircraft will equally enable the industry gain other major benefits associated with modern aircraft. IATA says over the past 40 years the industry has improved fuel efficiency 70%; and between 2001 and 2008 alone industry improved fuel efficiency 16%. Africa can contribute more to emissions reduction by adopting the right strategies. Where there is a will, there is always a way.