Oil price drives enviro agenda for airlines

GENEVA – Soaring oil prices have brought environmental issues to the forefront of airlines’ strategies as they seek to use less fuel and find alternative energy sources to trim costs, industry executives said on Tuesday.

Giovanni Bisignani, head of the global airlines body IATA, told a Geneva environment summit that record crude oil prices had spurred new enthusiasm to cut emissions. Others stressed air travel is already much more fuel efficient than even hybrid cars.Christian Scherer, executive vice president of Airbus, noted that the industry represents just two per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions despite making up eight per cent of the world economy.Still, he said manufacturers needed to lighten aircraft weights and improve aerodynamics “to reduce fuel burn and thus the emissions” as companies seek to remain competitive in a high-oil price environment.- Nampa-ReutersOthers stressed air travel is already much more fuel efficient than even hybrid cars.Christian Scherer, executive vice president of Airbus, noted that the industry represents just two per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions despite making up eight per cent of the world economy.Still, he said manufacturers needed to lighten aircraft weights and improve aerodynamics “to reduce fuel burn and thus the emissions” as companies seek to remain competitive in a high-oil price environment.- Nampa-Reuters