Overview
Prognosis for the future development of national and international air transport are forecasting a continuous growth. This increase of air transportation is causing more emissions, which have a negative impact on climate change. For the current aircraft design with its typical operating altitude and travel speed, there is only little potential for further efficiency improvements. There are more and more scientific papers showing that adjustments towards lower operating altitude and lower speed offer great opportunities in efficiency matters.
It is the objective to figure out the opportunities of reducing the emissions of air transport under consideration of noise emissions.
The findings of the study are the basis for the development of reduction targets and regulations in air transportation.
Based on the multitude of available scientific literature the project will collect and evaluate options for reducing climate impacts from commercial air transport. The impacts of low cruising altitudes on environmental noise in that respect will receive particular attention as noise at airports constitutes one of the major obstacles for expanding air services.
The desk top study will collect, combine and assess the available information in a systematic way. Synergies and conflicts of the different aspects of sustainability and economic performance will be considered.