Istanbul: As airlines in the Middle East return to profitability, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released roadmaps aimed at providing step-by-step detailing of critical actions and dependencies for aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
These roadmaps address aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, operations, finance, and policy considerations leading to net zero, the IATA said.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that Middle East carriers have been swiftly rebuilding their international networks and in March 2023, the region’s international connectivity had returned to 98 per cent of its pre-Covid level.
The region’s return to profitability in 2022 was supported by a significant increase in the passenger load factor of almost 25 percentage points, outstripping the performance of the other regions.
The return to net profitability, even with a 1.2% net profit margin, is a major achievement.
It may be recalled Oman Air recently said that the total revenue forecast for 2023 is expected to be up 236 per cent in 2023, compared to 128 per cent in 2022 and -3 per cent in 2021.
“Airline financial performance in 2023 is beating expectations. Stronger profitability is supported by several positive developments. China lifted Covid-19 restrictions earlier in the year than anticipated. Cargo revenues remain above pre-pandemic levels even though volumes have not. And, on the cost side, there is some relief. Jet fuel prices, although still high, have moderated over the first half of the year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General...
The net zero roadmaps are the first detailed assessment of the key steps necessary to accelerate the transition to net zero by 2050. Together, they show a clear direction and will evolve as we dig deeper to set interim milestones on the way to net zero. I must emphasise that the roadmaps are not just for airlines. Governments, suppliers, and financiers cannot be spectators in aviation’s decarbonisation journey. They have skin in the game. The roadmaps are a call to action for all aviation's stakeholders to deliver the tools needed to make this fundamental transformation of aviation a success with policies and products fit for a net-zero world,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Roadmaps focus on the fuels and new energy carrier infrastructure upstream from airports needed to facilitate the use of aircraft powered by SAF or hydrogen. Renewable energy plays a vital role in meeting the aviation sector's energy demand, and the roadmap outlines milestones to enable the necessary infrastructure developments, the opportunities for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency by improving the way existing aircraft are operated.
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