An analysis of the contribution of flight route and aircraft type in environmental performance of airlines based on life cycle assessment:The Lutfhansa case

Abstract

In the airlines sector, the reduction of fuel consumption became a major global target due to the recent surge in oil prices. Aircraft emissions have also been gaining importance, particularly in the European Union where apart from the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and its concerns related to ground level ozone formation, measurements and reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) became a major regional target. This major concern related to CO2 emissions is reflected on the upcoming inclusion of aviation sector into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme as of 2012 when all intra-community flights will be subject to emission restrictions. The main aim of this paper is to show by means of life cycle assessment how fuel consumption and emissions per passenger can vary significantly between the same origin and destination according to the distance flown and the use of different aircraft models. It illustrates these variations with different real offers of daily flights by Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Besides considerable reductions that can be achieved with the use of fuel-efficient aircrafts, additional improvements can be done by shortening air traffic routes and by developing technology for continuous descent approach landing patterns in collaboration between governments, regulators, airlines, airports and air navigation system providers (ANPs).