Delays in new aircraft deliveries to slow sector’s progress on climate ambitions
Aircraft delivery delays by Airbus and Boeing are forcing airlines to fly older, less fuel-efficient planes for longer, slowing the industry’s progress on curbing harmful carbon emissions. Increased fuel efficiency from new aircraft is among the measures being pursued by the aviation industry as it seeks to meet its pledge to reach net zero by 2050. But more than two years since the return of air travel following the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and labour shortages continue to hamper production of planes. With both Airbus and Boeing expected to announce a flurry of new airline orders at this week’s Farnborough air show, concerns are rising that the gap between demand and supply could slow the industry’s progress on reducing emissions through to the end of the decade. “The cumulative deficit of deliveries is going to stay through to 2028 at least,” said Rob Morris, head of Cirium’s consultancy business Ascend. This “does mean that airlines are keeping planes flying for longer, with mid-life and older aircraft [staying] in service”, he added. Flying accounts for about 2% of global energy-related emissions. Air traffic has returned close to pre-pandemic levels by the end of last year. The industry believes it can reach net zero by 2050 while still growing, and has outlined a range of measures to cut its net emissions, including switching to sustainable aviation fuel, newer aircraft and carbon offsets. Under the European industry’s net zero road map, new but still conventionally powered aircraft are responsible for nearly a fifth of the sector’s emissions reductions by 2050. Planes with new generation engines, such as the A320neo, burn about 15% less fuel and emit 15% less carbon dioxide than the prior generation of aircraft. Even when there is a “significant delay of new deliveries, airlines’ growth plans don’t change”, said Nikhil Sachdeva, global lead for sustainable aviation at consultants Roland Berger. Instead, airlines end up with a “double whammy of delayed retirements and older leased aircraft” as they try to keep their growth commitments, he added. Both Airbus and Boeing will deliver fewer aircraft than originally planned this year. The European plane maker said last month it would deliver “around 770” commercial aircraft this year, down from a previous target of 800. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2024-07-22/general/delays-in-new-aircraft-deliveries-to-slow-sector2019s-progress-on-climate-ambitions
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Delays in new aircraft deliveries to slow sector’s progress on climate ambitions
Aircraft delivery delays by Airbus and Boeing are forcing airlines to fly older, less fuel-efficient planes for longer, slowing the industry’s progress on curbing harmful carbon emissions. Increased fuel efficiency from new aircraft is among the measures being pursued by the aviation industry as it seeks to meet its pledge to reach net zero by 2050. But more than two years since the return of air travel following the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and labour shortages continue to hamper production of planes. With both Airbus and Boeing expected to announce a flurry of new airline orders at this week’s Farnborough air show, concerns are rising that the gap between demand and supply could slow the industry’s progress on reducing emissions through to the end of the decade. “The cumulative deficit of deliveries is going to stay through to 2028 at least,” said Rob Morris, head of Cirium’s consultancy business Ascend. This “does mean that airlines are keeping planes flying for longer, with mid-life and older aircraft [staying] in service”, he added. Flying accounts for about 2% of global energy-related emissions. Air traffic has returned close to pre-pandemic levels by the end of last year. The industry believes it can reach net zero by 2050 while still growing, and has outlined a range of measures to cut its net emissions, including switching to sustainable aviation fuel, newer aircraft and carbon offsets. Under the European industry’s net zero road map, new but still conventionally powered aircraft are responsible for nearly a fifth of the sector’s emissions reductions by 2050. Planes with new generation engines, such as the A320neo, burn about 15% less fuel and emit 15% less carbon dioxide than the prior generation of aircraft. Even when there is a “significant delay of new deliveries, airlines’ growth plans don’t change”, said Nikhil Sachdeva, global lead for sustainable aviation at consultants Roland Berger. Instead, airlines end up with a “double whammy of delayed retirements and older leased aircraft” as they try to keep their growth commitments, he added. Both Airbus and Boeing will deliver fewer aircraft than originally planned this year. The European plane maker said last month it would deliver “around 770” commercial aircraft this year, down from a previous target of 800. <br/>
