AARHUS, Denmark—Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents around 34 European airlines, is looking to “reboot” European air traffic management (ATM) by its member airlines proposing optimum flight paths.
Speaking at Routes Europe in Aarhus on April 22, Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E managing director, said the organization is “promoting the concept” of optimal flight trajectories. This will be partly driven by increased digitalization among A4E’s members.
“The idea is that airlines plan an optimal trajectory, and this is shared with the other stakeholders. And, all together, we work towards achieving it and delivering it,” she said.
The optimal trajectory will need to factor in wind conditions, airspace capacity and military closures, especially as 20% of European airspace is currently closed because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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“Ultimately, we all need to stop planning like we used to and just reboot the system, and think about how we can fly more efficiently, in terms of space, fuel and carbon [emissions],” Georgoutsakou added.
Studies have suggested that European ATM reform, through full implementation of the Single European Sky (SES), could cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 10%. Other research indicated around 3.5 million metric tons of CO2 could have been saved in 2023.
Georgoutsakou is expecting good demand this summer, with demand reaching 96% of pre-pandemic levels, but she said sustainability is “the biggest issue facing our sector.”
She estimated the incremental cost of delivering European aviation’s Destination 2050 net-zero plan at €820 billion ($874 billion) , and most of this cost sits with the airlines.
A4E’s members carry around 718 million passengers annually, with a combined fleet of 3,600 aircraft.
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