In this grooming economy, the aviation industry has been witnessing its bright day. The Aviation industry has seen tremendous growth. The passenger traffic rate has risen by 12.47% in the Financial year 2015. Currently, India is the ninth-largest Aviation Industry, which is expected to be third by 2020 and the largest by 2030. However, there are issues that this industry should tackle, to protect its duty.
The world doesn’t revolve around abundance. On this planet, all benefits are limited and their availability is shrinking with the passage of time along with the pace of its consumption. It is a Fundamental duty, by Article 51A(g), that every individual to endeavor to protect all life forms and environment. This blooming industry should give these environmental issues importance as a fundamental duty.
- Aircraft Noise –
Noise Pollution has been an age-old issue in the field of aviation. Humungous engine fixed to elevate even huge aircraft carrying hundred in them creates huge noise, which can even make a person deaf. The issue is parochial as the noise disturbance is actually nil when the aircraft flies at a higher altitude. However, noise disturbance is maximum at the airport, and people residing near an airport area.
Therefore, the ICAO has adopted a resolution, which takes a balanced approach to noise management. The resolution the moderate noise level, which is prescribed to all the contracting members. Additionally, requires the aerodromes to be away from the dwelling area.
- Degradation of Air Quality –
The aviation industry has been one of the crucial reasons for the degradation of air quality. The time of impact is minimum, only when it is flying at a level below 10,000 ft.; however, it emits more than the emission caused due to combustion other vehicles. The main attributing agents are; oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, Unburnt Hydrocarbons, Sulphur Dioxides and fumes, which are deteriorating the air quality. This emission of greenhouse gases is named as ‘carbon footprint’.
- Climatic Change –
Climate has been changing, degrading would be more appropriate. The people of this world are trying to save non-renewable resources. The Aviation Industry has a small impact on this radical change, but ever-increasing impact. The impact is growing with sprawling demand for air transport. With the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, saving energy and stopping climatic degradation has become an implication.
The impact of aircraft is more direct than any other source of emission, because of the transport at a high altitude. The oxides emitted from these enormous vehicles can alter the balance in the ecosystem and become a vital reason for cloud formation. This is a vicious circle where the aviation industry is not just degrading the environment, but also making it cumbersome to transport by air, due intolerable whether conditions.
- Third Party Risk –
It has been seen and proved that the rate of accidents on air is very less. A person in the flight is safe, and the Accident Investigation team is preventing any such occurrence. The point is the passenger and the aircraft relation is not an environmental issue. However, the impact of the aircraft caused to the others, third party, is an environmental issue. The probability of accidents of individuals by an aircraft as the passenger is comparatively less than probability as a third party.
The environmental impact of a growing airport needs to calculated by the authorities, including the land-use restriction, near the aerodrome and the over-flight risk. The wholesome impact of the airport should be calibrated in relation to environmental effects.
- Fuel Consumption –
A working paper on Aviation and Environment cites that, the fuel consumption has increased by 10-12% including the operation including those on the ground. The study suggests that by 2036, fuel consumption is expected to rise up to 38% domestic transport and 62% in international transport out of the total globe fuel consumption. The globe is trying to save all sources of energy, particularly non-renewable resource, however the aviation industry alone, if allowed at this rate, can alone wipe-out the entire fuel resources.
The main question which bothers every individual – are safe in the era of the Aviation Industry? Although this question, has been the subject matter of many meetings and many committees have been established. The authorities of various states, in the International Air Transport Association and in the ICAO, these topics have been tackled with various sets of policies. However, at the end of the day, the effectiveness of these meeting and policies are yet to see the light of a reformed day.