Researchers from the University of Cambridge have proposed a plan to help the aviation industry reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by mandating longer flight times. This proposal would involve slowing flight speeds by 15%, adding approximately 50 minutes of travel time to each journey. The goal is to reduce fuel burn by 5 to 7% and decrease the industry’s contribution to overall climate change by 4%.
By 2050, this plan could potentially cut fuel reductions in half, according to projections. The researchers believe that longer flights could be offset by more efficiently organized airports with fewer delays. However, this idea may not be well received by travelers who are already dealing with various flight disruptions due to changes from Covid and surging passenger numbers.
The research team also suggested that better-made planes could aid in achieving these goals, especially in light of recent issues with Boeing’s aircraft. Professor Rob Miller of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory emphasized the need for a “whole systems process change” in the aviation industry, stating that airlines, manufacturers, and airports all need to work together to implement these changes.
While the idea of mandating longer flight times to reduce carbon emissions is ambitious, it may be challenging to implement given the complexity of the aviation system. Professor Miller compared the current situation in aviation to the automotive industry in the late 2000s when Tesla delivered its first electric vehicles and electric or hybrid vehicles made up 16% of American vehicles by the end of 2023.
Ultimately, the aviation industry is at a pivotal moment and will need to make significant changes to reduce its carbon footprint. Whether or not the proposal to mandate longer flight times is feasible remains to be seen, but it highlights the need for innovative solutions to address the environmental impact of air travel. It will require collaboration among various stakeholders in the industry to make meaningful progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.
