Eco-Aviation Channel

Bisignani calls for government help on greener aviation

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, March 10, 2009, p.3

IATA DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, speaking at the Wings Club in New York last month, reminded governments that the air transport industry needs their leadership to help airlines reduce emissions. "Governments need to stimulate the economy with green investments like biofuel research or with tax breaks for new fuel-efficient aircraft purchases," he said. He also called for a "global approach to climate change."

Bisignani told attendees he was "pleased to see that [President Obama's] agenda seeks to make the US a leader on climate change." But while encouraged, he cautioned that he went to the White House website to see how transportation fits in Obama's agenda. "Then I got concerned. Transportation was buried at the end of a section on Other Issues."

He took the opportunity to remind the US government that "aviation supports 10.2 million jobs in the US and $1.1 trillion in economic activity," adding, "Aviation can play a pivotal role in economic recovery. Smart investments--not bailouts--in air transport will pay off in even more jobs and boost other industries. Don't stop with the planned airport investments. Air traffic management is in desperate need of an upgrade. Airlines and airports cannot be efficient economic catalysts if we operate in gridlock. I encourage President Obama to allocate the needed $4 billion as a quick start for the long-awaited NextGen upgrade. There will be an immediate return with 77,000 jobs created. And to get the most bang for the buck there is an urgent golden opportunity as Europe is upgrading its airspace management technology along a similar timeline. Harmonizing the two is essential and will generate enormous efficiencies across 60% of global aviation."

At the same time, he urged the US to get tough with the EU. "Air transport is global as is the challenge of climate change. The Kyoto Protocol asked ICAO to deal with emissions from international aviation in preparation for Copenhagen this year. The ICAO Group on International Aviation and Climate Change will produce an action plan in September. The US is one of the 15 GIACC countries and must be a strong voice opposing Europe's unilateral, illegal and ineffective regional emissions trading plans while building consensus for a global solution."

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