The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said on September 13 that it concluded ‘agreements for voluntary reduction of greenhouse gases in airline industry in 2014’ with 7 airline companies in Korea. The agreements were signed at the Sky City Convention Center in Gimpo International Airport.
The MOLIT has been sealing agreements with these airlines annually since 2010 based on assessment on results of fulfilling their previous agreements conducted by Korea Transportation Safety Authority (President: Chung Il-young). Airlines include Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and T’Way Air.
Predicting that greenhouse gas emission of these 7 airlines will increase from 17 million tons in 2010 to 22 million tons in 2020 and 37 million tons in 2050, the MOLIT devised a plan of reducing greenhouse gases in airline industry in June 2012 as part of its effort to proactively deal with international regulations related to climate change. To encourage airline companies to faithfully fulfill agreements, the Ministry will provide incentives, such as extra points, to companies when allocating international air traffic rights depending on results of fulfilling agreements.
The MOLIT said, based on agreements, these airline companies saved about 330,000 tons of jet fuel (worth about 340 billion won) while reducing greenhouse gases by approximately 1.05 million tons in two years after 2010.
Under the fourth year agreements, these airline companies will carry out greenhouse gas reduction activities in 2014 with the goal of improving jet fuel efficiency by 2% over the annual average fuel efficiency during the past 3 years.
These airline companies will actively conduct various activities for improving fuel efficiency to reduce greenhouse gases. Their activities will include purchase of eco-friendly planes, weight cut of fixtures and materials in cabin, operation of short cut routes, optimization of contingency fuel, restrained use of auxiliary power units, and taxing based on a single engine.
An official at the MOLIT said, “We hope all airlines will voluntarily take part in activities of reducing greenhouse gases that will enable them to gain economic benefits by reducing consumption of jet fuels while contributing to building green environment by reducing greenhouse gases. Based on results of reduction, the government will publicize in the international community the interest and effort for reducing greenhouse gases in airline industry in Korea.”
- Source: Ecojournal
