When to stop the clock

EU ETS trading must be extended to all flights landing or taking off in any EU ETS member state, but …

EU ETS CO2 emission counting must “stop the clock” at a certain distance CO2 emission rules for flights outside EU ETS airspace must stop at a certain (great-circle) distance, e.g. beyond 5,000 km. This “stop the clock” policy avoids unfair competition from flights with intermediate stops outside the EU ETS. Otherwise, fuel efficient direct flights get unfair competition from less fuel efficient flights with intermediate stops. Continue reading “When to stop the clock”

CO2 Emissions per route can be accurately established

Establishing aviation’s CO2 emissions

1. Measurements
All airlines of EU ETS member states keep already a record of their fuel bills. They are charged for every metric ton of kerosene that is estimated to produce an equivalent of 3.15 tons of CO2.

2. Flight distance
Fuel bills of airlines from outside the EU ETS member states are not available for verification. However, these airlines can be charged accurately Continue reading “CO2 Emissions per route can be accurately established”

The Wing

Aircraft wings and the battle for efficiency

1. Wing defines aircraftSturdy, short and swept for speed or delicate, long and straight for efficiency? During the past 70 years, the airliner’s wing geometry hasn’t changed much. Advanced materials allow nowadays light-weighted and delicate designs and all current airliners are optimised for high subsonic speeds, e.g. 900 km/h / M 0.85. Why is this so? Continue reading “The Wing”

The Fuselage

Aircrafts look the same then 70 years ago

1. Airliner’s fuselages didn’t change for 70 years All current aircraft are Tube & Wing designs. A wing, which generates lift, a tube-like fuselage, which holds the load, and a balancing tail. Only small improvements were made to noses, cockpit windows, wing-root fairings and tail-cones. However, these  can not improve much further. Continue reading “The Fuselage”

The Jet-Engine

Jet airliner’s engines slow evolution towards fuel efficiency

Wikipedia, Jet Airlier
Wikipedia, Jet Airlier

1. Early jet enginesThrust formula
Above formula shows thrust depending on the mass of air passing through the engine and on the (excess) speed at which this air leaves the engine’s nozzle. Early jet airliners used engines which ejected all air with a very high velocity thought their nozzles. These engines were most effective at speeds close to the speed of sound, e.g. Mach (M) 0,85. Continue reading “The Jet-Engine”

Low prices for the use of kerosene, hold back any development towards more sustainability

Aircraft manufacturers and airlines will only invest, when getting returns. The CORONA pandemic, its economic aftermath and the world’s efforts to curb CO2 emissions makes continued low prices for kerosene likely. Airlines and aircraft manufacturers will not invest in new airplanes without economic need. Politics must make the regulations, give guidance and stimulation for aviation to focus on fuel efficiency.

1. How much is the fuel?Fuel is not always the biggest cost for an airline. Continue reading “Low prices for the use of kerosene, hold back any development towards more sustainability”

The price for kerosene defines the airliners that are built

Low prices for fuel and CO2 emissions make airlines focus on fuel-thirsty speeds

1. Airlines  always get what they wantAircrafts are designed around an airline’s business plan. Designers optimise an aircraft’s fuselage, it’s wings and engines to fly with a specific speed to gain an airline the highest profits. The higher it’s speed, the more fuel an aircraft consumes, but the lower are it’s other costs. Continue reading “The price for kerosene defines the airliners that are built”

Aviation spoils tons of kerosene for small financial profits, nr. 4

Airlines balance the costs for fuel against costs for delays

EU air passenger rights in case of denied boarding, a delayed flight or a cancelled flight grant delayed passengers a compensation of up to € 600.-!

Pilots, flight attendants, passengers or luggage, generate extra costs when missing a connecting flight. Cheap fuel is spent for high speed flying to minimise any costs due to chronic airline delays.

To stay on top of the punctuality-rankings, airlines nudge pilot’s to depart not one minute late. Up to 50% of the flights are therefore flown high speed to catch up delays into congested European hubs.  2018 OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited, On-time performance for airlines and airports and Top 20 busiest routes.