Introduction
Air travel is an essential part of our world today as it helps connect people from various parts of the world to social and economic opportunities. Zhang and Graham (2020) argue that has also enabled the growth of businesses through globalization and improved people’s livelihoods through employment. Aviation has become a definitive feature of today’s modern society. It has become essential in realizing cultural, social, and economic development globally and has been critical in shaping globalization and universal interactions (Zhang and Graham, 2020). A world without civil aviation is entirely unimaginable. Democratization of the air travel industry and reducing air travel costs by more than half in the last five decades have seen the sector experience rapid growth. Air transport is now accessible to many people.
Airports enable people and goods to fast movement, thereby directly contributing to economic progress and providing societal benefits. Despite its benefits, air travel is associated with several environmental concerns (Ansell and Haran, 2020). Recently, people are becoming more aware of the need for green businesses and incorporating sustainability measures into various sectors. Air travel is no exception. The sector contributes to 2.5% of the total CO2 emissions and 3.5% of global warming (Brian, 2022). This has raised concerns about the sustainability of civil aviation, which necessitated ICAO and its member states to develop several guidelines for ecological protection. Through a holistic, collective, and collaborative approach, the body has ensured air travel is safe, secure, and ecologically compliant than in earlier years (GOV.UK., n.d.). The focus has been on achieving the three pillars of air transport sustainability requirements to ensure the industry remains sustainable in the long run.
Air transport has always had issues to do with sustainability. Two of the UK’s largest airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), have been impacted similarly by sustainability challenges like loss of biodiversity, poor wastewater management, noise pollution, deteriorating air quality other environmental issues affecting the wider population (Gatwickairport.com, 2018; Heathrow 2.0, 2019). Due to the virality of environmental awareness campaign programs and the need for climate justice action, most UK airports are taking steps to address these issues. Following ecological concerns, the two main airports have emerged as global leaders in the sustainable operations of their respective organizations.
Statement of the Problem
The aviation industry produces about 2.5% of the total CO2 emissions globally. However, this figure is not fully representative of its impact on the environment since it produces other gases which impact the atmosphere. David Lee et al. (2020), who estimated the radiative forcing of elements produced by aircraft, observed that the industry is responsible for about 3.5% of global warming. The scholars observed that as much as CO2 is the focus of most studies, it leads to less than half of global warming. And with the world air travel continuing to realize a drastic growth, this problem is about to be exacerbated further.
The sustainability of the aviation industry continues to pose so much doubt as the sector is projected to grow thrice in the next 30 years. The reliability and ecological impact of global air travel are becoming a pertinent discourse for the future of aviation, with several issues such as the safety and efficiency of the industry under constant question. According to CNN (2018) reports, air travel is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases globally. The report indicates that long-distance flights of big airplanes such as Boeing 747 emit about 400 tons of CO2 per trip. So much pressure is on the air transport industry to include sustainability in its transformation process.
Recently, there has been regulation set out for the air transport industry to ensure their operations conform to air travel requirements. The gravity of the matter led the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to resolve to adopt collective climate action for all stakeholders in the industry in the 39th and 40th assemblies in 2016 and 2019, respectively. In the initial assembly, it was agreed that fuel efficiency was to be improved by 2% annually (ICAO, 2019). There is an urgency to put sustainability at the core of air travel and put measures necessary to increase the efficiency of airport operations. Airport goals and missions should be aligned to the long-term objective of ensuring ecological health for the planet and helping realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.)
According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (n.d), if this problem remains unchecked, emissions related to air travel could surpass 1.2 billion tons per year by 2025, and the people affected by noise pollution would increase by 50% from the figure in 2000 to about 31 million in 2025. Growth in the aviation industry is very rapid, and so should the measures be taken to ensure its sustainability. With SDGs a major focus point in development and growth, the aerospace sector should extend its operation to ensure they are met. Aviation can be a tremendous source of good globally if the concerns raised behind its sustainability can be addressed by reducing the detrimental impacts.
Objectives of the Study
This study broadly purposes to look at the sustainability of the aviation industry as it is currently and in the future. Since sustainability is multi-conceptional, the focus of the study will be on the three pillars of sustainability. It will discuss the topic in detail with attention to sustainability’s social, economic, and environmental aspects. The following specific objectives will guide it:
- To determine the differences and similarities in the sustainable measures undertaken by LHR and LGW.
- To establish the efforts put by LHR and LGW in ensuring the aerospace industry remains sustainable.
Literature Review and Conceptual Framework
This section discusses the concept of sustainable development concerning aviation. It then focuses on the three pillars of sustainable development in the aviation industry-mainly in the past and present. The discussion also looks at the sustainability of the air travel industry through a future lens with a focus on where it is headed and what might define and transform the sector. The conceptual framework is also presented.
The Sustainability Concept
According to ICAO (2019) and ICAO (2019), sustainability is defined as the ability to cater to the current generation’s demands without threatening the capacity of coming groups to satisfy their requirements. Sustainability in the air transport sector focuses on the economy, society, and the environment. To achieve sustainability, a balance must exist in these pillars. Sustainability goes beyond ecological concerns to include social and economic issues. The social aspect pertains to how people are impacted by air travel and the benefits or adverse effects on the communities. In contrast, the economic pillar is concerned with the finances and whether the sector can continue to self-support its operations while growing. For a good course, sustainability must include all these three pillars in its definition and realization.
Sustainability in aviation is a long-term strategy to ensure a collective, collaborative and holistic approach to resolving the sector’s issues while ensuring a quieter, cleaner, and smarter generation. Its purpose is to help grow the air travel industry ecologically sound while offering freedom of movement for people globally (ICAO, 2019). Sustainability in aviation is a very slippery concept, and the dynamism and changes in the sector make it very hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, sustainability considerations in air travel revolve around initiatives that protect the health and ensure the safety of all stakeholders in the aviation industry (ICAO, 2019). Moreover, ecological concerns like the need to reduce carbon footprint and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Economically, efforts need to be geared towards initiatives that eliminate biases in favor of consumption by adopting policies like the polluter pay principle and internalizing external costs. In addition, emphasis needs to be placed on actions that support equity deliberations as they are accommodating to developing countries and for the next generations.
More than 200 countries are accessible by air travel; aviation networks connect close to 80% of the cities in the world, with more than 36,000 airport pairs globally. The sector employs more than 8 million people. Approximately 3 million people travel by air, and close to 45% of goods are transported by aircraft (ICAO, 2019). These numbers suggest that the world economy is dysfunctional without aviation’s role. Air travel bolsters sustainability in many ways, just as it is detrimental. It helps realize sustainability by advancing the freedom of movement, the elevation of livelihoods through employment, growth of the world’s economy through trade, technological transfers, and cultural amelioration (ICAO, 2019). However, these benefits have come at a cost to the people and the environment. Gill (2018) supposes that its negative impacts must be mitigated for this means of transport to be feasible.
Projections show that air travelers may double from 3 million recorded in 2011 to 6 million in 2030. Since the industry realizes a fast growth, measures to incorporate sustainability into it should also be stepped up to help further contain the detrimental impacts and towards the zero-emission goal (ICAO, 2019; Karaman et al., 2018). Implementing the three pillars approach to sustainability is essential in advancing the growth of the aviation industry and ensuring the sector continues to be socially, economically, and environmentally feasible. One of the major reasons that focus has shifted to include sustainability in the aviation industry is that it is growing so fast, emitting lots of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to climate change.
In contrast, Karaman et al. (2018) note that not so much action is being taken to keep up with the issue’s pace. According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (n.d), if this problem remains unchecked, emissions related to air travel could surpass 1.2 billion tones per year by 2025and the people affected by noise pollution would increase by 50% from the figure in 2000 to about 31 million in 2025. Several airports worldwide have taken the initiative to include sustainability measures and technologies in their undertakings (ICAO, 2019). Airports in the UK are not an exemption, with two of its largest airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), at the forefront of ensuring the sustainability of the aviation industry. Airlines and airports in other countries are also committed to the sustainability call, with everyone rushing to beat the rest in providing green fuels for their aircraft.
Perhaps one of the industry inventions is the general aviation sustainability toolkit developed by the Colorado Airport Sustainability Program to ensure sustainability in general aviation airports. The program targets small airports that cannot conduct their research and develop sustainable programs. The Colorado Department of Transportation (n.d) notes that such airports can avail their data on the toolkit, guiding how their operations and resources can be best utilized to ensure sustainability. Other initiatives of ensuring sustainability that airports concerning all the three pillars have adopted include ensuring the rational use of resources. The measures are mostly aimed at energy conservation and include switching to electric charging stations and sparing the use of water and equipment with lower energy ratings.
The Three Pillars of Air Transport Sustainability
Worth noting is that it is a futile task to only try and achieve a single pillar of air transport sustainability since they are all intertwined sublimely. Some of the issues cut across all the three pillars, so addressing them under one pillar will mean that they are addressed under all the pillars. This makes even the discussion and categorization of the issues rather difficult as they fall into multiple categories. For instance, sustainable fuel might be considered an issue under the environmental pillar. However, it also helps cut the firm’s budgets and is a safe option for people’s health. Considering such a viewpoint, it can also be categorized under economic and social pillars. The pillars of sustainability are discussed in depth below.
Social Pillar
This pillar of sustainability is often overlooked, and perhaps it should be the most considered as people should always come first before the planet (environmental) and profit (economic). A sustainable system should be fully conscious of the people and the community in which it operates (GOV.UK., n.d.). In the transport industry, the stakeholders most likely to be impacted are the travelers and the company’s employees. It trickles down to how the stakeholders are treated and whether their safety is guaranteed. On a sustainable basis, airlines and airports need to be aware of how they affect people locally and globally.
An essential pillar that determines air transport and is regarded with top priority is the safety of the transportation network regardless of the interest being served, whether social, commercial, environmental, or operational. The safety of the employees at their workplaces on flights or in the airports is also as important (Heathrow Airport., n.d.). All airports and airlines are guided by safety principles to realize the goal of zero aviation-related injuries. Due to the importance of maintaining safety in the aviation industry, the primary goal of enabling sustainability is to minimize the number and rate of incidents. Aviation giants like Boeing put it forward that if people cannot be better by the time they leave, they should be safe and healthy like when they arrived (Boeing, 2022).
Many aviation companies realize this goal of increasing their levels of safety through the adoption and implementation of safety management systems (SMS) and programs. The impetus behind the program is the belief that all injuries can be prevented. Therefore, achieving 100% safety is a possible endeavor. The key processes involved in SMS include undertaking regular audits, identifying and developing solutions to safety management challenges, and coming up with safety policies for all the stakeholders in the industry. This process leads to the development of safety manuals, guidelines, and standards that govern airports’ operations (ICAO, 2019). Safety at airports is a collective responsibility; the safety standard approaches stipulate that everyone should always act accordingly in ensuring their safety and those of others.
The future of aviation lies in its ability to protect, connect, and explore new possibilities and leads related to the field. The sector has recently stepped up in advancing this notion and is defined by a diverse team committed to taking up challenges and delivering as required. Results achieved by the inclusion of diverse perspectives from companies like Boeing suggest that the airline’s progress towards achieving its aspirations is being realized much faster (Boeing, 2022). With its success, the flight giant has moved to ensure that at least 90% of those occupying top posts in the company are from different diversities. The move aims to incentivize equal opportunity and transparency in the organization, laying the foundation for a healthy and sustainable organizational structure and culture. Progress in the aviation sector is inevitable, and the path forward is advancing equity and inclusion.
One of the major social concerns in the aviation sector is the underrepresentation of various races and genders in the industry. Although gender representation is an issue in other industries like defense, measures are underway to accelerate the inclusion of all genders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as it’s a major source of the industry’s workforce. In 2021, close to 3 million girls and women globally will be in various STEM programs by Boeing (Boeing, 2022). These number represents females of color as well as those from underrepresented groups. Pay equity for equal work irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and race is an important element of the global equity push that airlines and airports widely implement. Much progress has also been made in achieving parity in the recruitment and retention rate for all the groups, as evidenced by diversity report metrics and annual progress by companies like Boeing (Boeing, 2022).
Economic Pillar
Before sustainability, a business was mainly defined by how much profits it made, and it was solely what businesses were about. To be sustainable, firms had to record profits. However, with the coining of the sustainability concept, the economic pillar has grown to include other activities such as risk management, compliance, and proper governance. These recent inclusions to the economic pillar are why organizations have to adhere to sustainability stratagems. The pillar offers a counterbalance to unnecessary procedures that organizations must subscribe to, like the mandatory switch to green energy.
There are several ways to achieve the economic pillar among the increasing efficiency in the air transport industry. With air transport, efficiency can be operationally defined as conducting the operational tasks in air transportation without wasting energy, time, and resources. The need to develop sustainable aircraft fuels and more efficient technology was guided by the CO2 standards of 2016. The use of SAFs can be categorized under the economic pillar like the environmental pillar since economic benefits accrued from green fuels (GOV.UK., n.d). It has pushed the civil aerospace industry to direct more than $15 billion in research, which will improve the industry’s efficiency (GOV.UK., n.d).
Emissions from air travel have increased in the past few decades owing to the rapid increase in the volume of travelers who use planes as a mode of transport. Hannah (2020) confirms that emissions from planes have increased seven times since the 1950s and greatly since the 1960s. On the other hand, she reveals that air traffic volumes have increased by about 300 times since the 1950s and 75 times since the 1960s. The figures show that emissions have increased over time but at a much lower rate than air traffic volumes owing to the massive improvements in efficiency in the aviation industry. The improvements can be attributed to various sources such as increased passenger load factor, larger air crafts, and aircraft manufacture with better designs and technology. Several innovations and competitive solutions have been developed to help solve the issue of inefficiency. Among the key technologies registered in the market that have proven efficient is the ASEAN single aviation market (ASAM) idea, which has succeeded in improving airspace management systems such that travelers travel shorter routes, utilizing ait transport efficiently (Gill, 2018).
The future of air transport and its sustainability is hinged on the ability of the various flight companies to continue providing adequate airspace capacity which meets the demands of the growing population (ICAO, 2019). In cases where airspace fails to live up to the expectation of its customers in terms of capacity, there will be several delays in the travel, which have detrimental impacts on the economy and the environment (Hannah, 2020). Among the key concerns about flight delays is especially unforeseen circumstances. It calls for the action of all stakeholders in the sector to help reduce air travel delays to realize sustainability in the sector.
The growth of air transportation means that airlines and airports have to advance their capacity to contain the bulging number of passengers and goods that require that mode of transport. Studies in 2017 indicate that air transport capacities are likely to double by 2036 (Hannah, 2020). Therefore, for the aviation sector to be sustainable, its resources must also increase two-fold within that time frame. An increase in capacity depends on various aspects like technology and state-of-the-art equipment. Technology comes in where air travel needs to be streamlined more than now. Ease of operation and much more efficient equipment translates to faster operations, thereby the ability to handle more flights (Hannah, 2020). On the other hand, the equipment being used have to be more advanced and able to carry more, either through bigger planes or faster plains that can make more trips.
Environmental Pillar
The environmental pillar of sustainability receives the most attention in the aviation industry and other sectors. It continues to be highlighted with most global discourses currently touching on climate change and, therefore, the need for planetary action. Many firms and organizations are now focusing on cutting down their carbon footprints by resorting to eco-friendly products and services and finding ways to remediate the effects of their past operations.
Air transport is associated with environmental concerns like air pollution and noise pollution, especially for people living near aerodromes or flight corridors. Air quality is a major threat facing air travel. The airport in the UK has been fully conscious of the need to contain this threat, with the only anomaly being the high levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) recorded around the Heathrow airport (IATA, 2018). Several technical adjustments to aircraft have led to better planes that produce half as much carbon monoxide. They have recorded a 90% reduction in unburned hydrocarbons and smoke compared to five decades ago. The CTi innovation by Rolls Royce was a breakthrough moment for the aviation industry, and the adoption of the engine by the plane manufacturers is expected to reduce fuel consumption significantly.
One of the key areas in the environmental pillar is the innovation of a sustainable aviation fuel that would ensure the reduction in the amount of pollution currently being recorded. Sustainable fuels are a key area of research in the aviation business, and the future of the industry relies on its ability to run on green fuels. Since the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2008, Gill (2018) has reported that the use of SAFs has been on the rise ever since. He identifies that the two most common SAFs that have been tried are those made from municipal waste and algae. SAFs are considered 100% sustainable jet fuels, as they are sourced from waste material. Instead of littering the environment, the wastes are converted to jet fuel, which reduces CO2 by more than 75%. Gill (2018) supposes that some airlines and airports have already adopted SAFs in sufficient amounts- as of 2017, more than 100 000 flights were using sustainable fuel, and the figures are projected to increase 10-fold by 2020. It shows the potential of SAFs to be the fuel for the future.
During the 38th ICAO assembly, a new noise certification standard was developed, which stipulated that new aircraft to be manufactured were to produce less noise than the older models by at least seven decibels (Karaman et al., 2018). This move was handy in ensuring noise pollution caused by aircraft is lessened. With the latest technologies, even large airplanes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 produce small amounts of noise. Compared to the 1960s, modern airplane models have reduced noise pollution by about 26% (ICAO, 2019). Other technologies like the ‘geared’ turbofan engines and the Pratt and Whiney technology will mean even lesser noise for the new Bombardier C Series aircraft.
Moreover, there is a need to situate aircraft departure and approaching zones of aircraft in areas with fewer noise impacts to people, like in less densely populated areas. This can be achieved by avoiding the night-time approach as the noise is louder and more aggravating and by placing runways over water bodies to ensure minimal noise impacts people (Karaman et al., 2018). In extreme cases, ventilation and sound insulation can be installed on buildings to reduce the noise levels. Noise as a result of air pollution is a public health concern. It impacts people’s mental capacities, interferes with activities like learning and sleep, and has been attributed to health issues like cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies also reveal it is linked to stress and anxiety in some people.
Several technical amendments have been developed to help mitigate the negative impacts of aircraft on the environment, such as the use of efficient fuel and less noisy engines (IATA, 2019). Some of the interventions also involve adjusting flight procedures; such s the execution of CDA, where an airplane descends from an optimal position with minimal thrust, and CCD, where an aircraft can cut the amount of fuel it consumes and the emissions it produces by obtaining the initial cruise flight level at minimum velocity with optimal engine thrust settings (Karaman et al., 2018). These techniques help reduce more than 150kg of CO2 that would have been emitted through the other alternative conventional methods. Adjusting aircraft wingtips has also reduced fuel consumption by close to 5%.
ICAO has laid regulations for producing new-generation aircraft that ensure the newer versions adhere to the commitment to reducing climate change impact. Several airways like Virgin Airways and British Airways have also been working on alternative sources of jet fuels, especially the potential switch to 100% biofuels. A report by ICAO (2019) indicated that airplanes had become more energy efficient by about 71% compared to four decades ago. At most airports, there are pre-conditioned air supplies at terminal gates that the planes use to switch to auxiliary power, thereby decimating pollutants and the use of fossil fuels. With proper management, reduced taxiing and holding times at airports have been realized. Congestion at airports has been reduced with more direct taxiways.
The Future of the Aviation Industry
The future of aviation depends on elements that will further augment the three pillars of sustainability, increase economic viability and explore various environmental and governance opportunities. Currently, emphasis is also being placed on corporate social responsibility to further social sustainability, especially the occupational health and safety of employees and the health and safety of the aviation ecosystem. ICAO (2019) suggests sustainability of the sector should be guided by environmental initiatives for sustainable aviation organizations, evaluation of factors that make operations in aviation sustainable, and focus on sustainability of the working environments.
As identified earlier, sustainability is a cyclic process and a long-term strategy for ensuring continuity, growth, and prosperity in the various facets of life (ICAO, 2019). Future trends in aviation are hinged on tackling climate changes, air pollution, and noise reduction while ensuring the safety and health of the people and making profits. Moreover, the future goal of the aerospace industry should be the development of a sustainable culture than just a day-to-day practice. Zhang and Graham (2020) identify the key factors that will dictate the industry is headed; technology and human capacities, and partnerships.
The continuance of growth in the aviation sector presents serious challenges for sustainability. The air transportation sector has made major strides in as much as sustainability is concerned, and the future is promising to be even brighter for the aviation industry (IATA, 2019). This will be possible through rigorous research and the improvements and technological advancements currently being witnessed. The kind of innovations and inventions in the sector is likely to be the key to its transformation into a sustainable industry owing to the large funding channeled towards research (Ansell and Haran, 2020). However, most technological advancements are likely to be environmental, focusing on green energy and more efficient aircraft. Since airports do not have any direct linkages to the development of technologies, their main input in ensuring technological advancements is through supporting the research of other institutions through actions such as funding and technical and human capacity support.
The role of disruptive technologies in increasing the efficiency of operations is on the rise, with a focus on how data and data analytics can be the focal point for helping airlines and airports double down on emissions and lessening their carbon footprint. Each new generation of aircraft being developed is about 20% more energy-efficient, but with over $15 billion being spent on research annually, the efficiency will get even better (Ansell and Haran, 2020). There are projections that hybrid and electric airplanes might hit the aviation sector for short-haul flights in the coming decade. Aviation technologies are developing rapidly, and several are projected to hit the markets very soon, among them electric aircraft, UAVs, autonomous flights, avionic aircraft management technologies, advanced material, and cyber security. In the multilevel paradigm, these technologies rely on the choice of hardware as they influence the internal operations of the aircraft; therefore, the focus will also remain on producing more efficient hardware like software.
In its principles, International Air Transport Authority (IATA, 2018) says that the aviation industry of tomorrow will be guided by the need to put the safety and security of the people first and should be robust and flexible enough to evolve with the constantly evolving global environment. One such way of realizing that it suggests is the need for safety network teams and sound occupational safety and health standards in the workplace, both for the employees and the customers. Moreover, it suggested that those tasked with the duties at the airports should be qualified and competent to be able to handle the responsibilities bestowed on them (IATA, 2019). Currently, there is a shortage of the right people with the right skills in the aerospace industry. Going forward, more emphasis should be placed on educating people of all ages and adopting a sustainable workforce model that has elements of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Individual companies have always made research efforts, but recently there has been a paradigm shift for global collaboration for a stronger post-pandemic future. This has been motivated by the fact that the various companies and firms have different approaches to finding solutions to the challenges faced in the industry. The most viable way forward is by harmonizing their operations toward achieving a common goal (IATA, 2018; IATA, 2019). Sustainable aviation and aerospace research will also rely on engaging and supporting regulators with research and evidence to craft modern and sufficient regulations. Trends are now inclining more towards plans to support and mobilize support for the future of aviation.
Theoretical Framework
Sustainable development is based on the theoretical framework for operationalizing sustainability by Langenberg (2018) as shown in figure 2.1. This is grounded on the observation that sustainability through human-induced should assume the form of a natural process. Due to the interrelation, intertwining, and intimate nature of natural processes, sustainability’s economic, environmental and social pillars cannot be separated. Furthermore, they are also some other intervening factors that determine sustainability like institution and governance and technological innovations. Sustainability should encompass growth and prosperity alike; therefore, no dimension of sustainability should be overlooked. The necessity of this approach is that sustainability can be defined variously; however, the bottom line of all the descriptions should be the ability to identify the three pillars of sustainability as complementary rather than substitutable or negligible. The only difference should be how the three dimensions are approached, as perspectives are bound to differ depending on the situation.
Moreover, sustainability in its definition should be sustainable as well. It is an infinite concept, meaning there is no end to sustainability. There will always be demand for meeting the needs of the current and future generations event in the future. For simplification, this theoretical framework looks at sustainability as a cyclic rather than a linear process. The framework is flexible, and, in some cases, it can be a DSIR rather than the conventional DPSIR situation. It makes it flexible; therefore, despite the situation the sustainability process takes, the frameworks will always mimic the scenario.
The focus of sustainability is achieving a state where the environment, economy, and society can serve the needs of the people at present and those of future generations. In the quest to achieve such a state, sustainable development is impacted as shifts in the states will be realized. The shifts lead to responses requiring action to keep on track and achieve the goals and objectives. Moreover, there will always be triggers in the form of drivers and pressures that will cause the need for changes. The aerospace industry is currently influenced by drivers and pressures such as technological innovations, demographic characteristics like population growth, ecological awareness, and sectoral policies and regulations.
Adopting technological inventions and innovations like the use of SAFs, which are much cheaper, will lead to a more environmentally friendly society, thereby impacting the economic and environmental state. Population growth will mean that the airports have to transport more people and goods and to be sustainable, they have to increase their capacity. Nonetheless, the industry does not operate in a vacuum but is guided by sectoral policies and regulations, which will always dictate the state of the three pillars of sustainability. Additionally, the states do not act in exclusion, and they are intertwined such that when one is affected directly, the others are also impacted either directly or indirectly.
Methodology
This paper focused on journal articles, grey literature, and reports from secondary sources. A total of 11 sources were considered in the analysis. Desk review activity included rigorously scanning the literature and comparing the secondary data. The documents covered data on the key differences and similarities in how London Gatwick Airport and London Heathrow Airport run their daily sustainable operations. This was regarding what both airports have in place regarding training, responsibilities, who is responsible for the seamless operations, how they are doing now, and what is in store. The research covered three years pre-pandemic, where figures and data were more relatable to this paper.
Results and Discussion
The study assumed a comparative analysis of the case studies to find similarities and differences in how London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) were engaged in realizing sustainability in the aerospace industry. The results have been identified and discussed as per the objectives.
Adherence to the Three Pillars of Sustainability
The two companies have shown an unwavering commitment in how they have undertaken action to ensure the sustainability of their businesses and that of the aerospace industry. The most definitive step LHR has taken towards realizing the sustainability of its operations is the creation of a sustainability plan document dubbed “Heathrow 2.0” in 2017. At its core, the document acts as a blueprint that will guide the airport’s actions in improving the well-being of its stakeholders and its global community, contributing to the flourishing of its businesses, and helping find a solution to the global issues of climate change. The governance structure of the airport places so much emphasis and has ensured the company’s operations have been aligned to Heathrow 2.0. Their progress has to be evaluated in those regards annually. The landmark strategy is supposed to ensure that the airport is a leader in social mobility, innovation, and community engagement. Unlike LHR, LGW does not have a sustainability plan document and is only guided by a sustainability plan.
LGW has taken many steps towards enabling the social pillar through its sound corporate social responsibility. In 2019, it partnered with the Brighton Marathon to enable the free participation of children in the mini-mile races of the event (Gatwick, n.d). They also provided 20,000 reusable water bottles in the event to lessen the pollution effect from littering by single-use plastics. The company has also extended its activities to support minority groups through social inclusion campaigns in South and South East Bloom and encourage their contribution by supporting horticultural achievements and communal participation in environmental responsibility (Gatwickairport, 2022).
LHR has focused both on its employees and the local community on a social scale. The airport moved to extend the London Living Wage, ensuring it is a great place to work, as highlighted in Heathrow 2.0. It currently compensates at that rate for employees they hire directly and was projecting to start paying the rest of the employees at the same rate by April 2022 (Heathrow 2.0, 2019). In addition, LHR has achieved a commendable diversity level across various management ranks at the airport and is continuing to ensure equity in its retention and recruitment programs. The local people are among those they target to benefit from their over 10,000 job opportunities (Heathrow 2.0, 2019).
In Heathrow 2.0, LHR clearly articulates that the airport is among the best places to work globally. The airport is committed to making people reach their full potential at the workplace by ensuring a culture of sustainability and providing safe working conditions (Heathrow Airport, n.d.). The airport has created a safety network team of safety, health, and fire professionals to ensure safety and well-being at the workplace and among passengers (Heathrow 2.0, 2019).
Economic Pillar
Under the economic pillar, LHR and LGW are constantly working with other airports and players in the aerospace industry to provide a getaway hub to the UK and the rest of the world. LHR has invested £ 10M from its Heathrow Route Development Fund kitty to help create new domestic routes in the region for flights that were not served initially (Heathrow 2.0, 2019). In 2017, it moved to promote domestic connectivity by offering discounts on landing fees for domestic flights. Delays and disruptions have frequently been unfavorable to the airport’s operations. It has moved to conduct frequent monitoring to identify future risks and put mitigation measures in place. In the Heathrow 2.0 report, the airport further integrated sustainability practices in its procurement process, and they have a code of conduct to which their suppliers must subscribe (Heathrow 2.0, 2019).
Both LGW and LHR have realized a considerable amount in the capacity of passengers and goods they handle each year. The 2019 figures show that they about 46 million and 75 million passengers respectively. Their strategic plans have both put in measures to ensure the growth of the traffic they handle each year (Heathrow 2.0, 2019; Gatwick, 2021). LHR is planning to expand and open a new runway to bolster its activities, increasing its capacity even further. Similarly, Gatwick has put over £ 2 billion into several transformation tasks at the airport that is likely to see the airport able to handle more passengers and goods (Gatwick, 2021). The refurbishment works also seek to provide more operational and commercial business spaces.
Environmental Pillar
LHR and LGW have made big strides in reducing noise pollution by adhering to the standards set by ICAO chapter 14 (ICAO, 2019). In LGW’s latest report (Gatwick, 2020), more than two-thirds of the airplanes at the airport are quieter than before they started subscribing to the standards set by ICAO. Among the interventions are the adjustments to its A320 airplane family by 99.5%, which has made the aircrafts able to reduce the noise they produce as they begin to descend in preparation to land. The airport has also been able to streamline its flights, with 98% of its departures going as planned, thereby adhering to the guidelines of noise preferential routes. Moreover, about 90% of the approaching aircraft perform CDO in the airports’ noise reduction policies. LHR has also made similar interventions by reducing the areas affected by noise, coming up with flight alternation patterns, and lessening the number of aircraft that lend or leave the airport at night compared to 2019(Heathrow, 2022; Heathrow, 2020; Heathrow, 2018).
Further, LGW’s move to lessen the noise was seen in 2019 when the airport launched a new noise tracking system, improved its noise information portal, and advanced its noise monitoring kits. These data and information are available for the public on the Gatwick Website. They include feedback and complaints, the performance of the various noise reduction metrics, and airport operations’ performance. Several improvements have been made to the resolutions of 2019. A state-of-the-art flight tracking and mapping system and 23 noise monitors throughout the airport. (Gatwickairport, 2022)
Although they take different avenues of getting there, LHR and LGW clearly articulated their aim of reaching net-zero by 2050 in their sustainability plans. LGW’s commitment to carbon neutrality is evident in its goal to align its operations to be a net-zero carbon emitter before its 2050 target. Its pledge identified two ways of achieving the goal of carbon removal and storage and cutting down on fossil fuels. By 2019, the airport’s data indicated that LGW’s operations were headed in the right direction. The company had achieved half of the requirements of being considered a net-zero institution (Gatwick airport, n.d). This has been achieved by switching to 100% renewable electricity for their premises in 2013, reducing energy consumption by 11% since 2010.
In its latest report (Gatwickairport, 2020), LGH has installed electric ground power in 99% of their airplane stands, and 40% of their road transport modes, either vans or fleet cabs, are plug-in hybrid or electric. The airport registered an 8% decrease in fuel consumption in 2019 compared to the previous year and about 55% lower than reported in 1990. The airport has also switched to CAEP 8 and CAEP 6 aircraft engines from CAEP 4, representing 27% and 12% greener solutions, respectively, regarding the NOx they produce (Gatwickairport, 2020). Figures from 2018 show that the company has been conscious of its waste and is reusing and recycling 71%.
On the other hand, Heathrow realizes a reduction in air pollution differently. While LGW has focused mostly on carbon neutrality by cutting down on fossil fuels, LHR has looked more toward adopting SAFs. LHR has identified that 99.9 % of their carbon emissions are scope 3, and as such, they cannot directly cut down on them but are committed to influencing the polluter to adopt their net-zero strategy. With the global average of the amount of SAF in use by different airlines at 0.1%, Heathrow is leading from the front with 0.5% SAF tanked at the airport (Heathrow, 2022). The airport looks to scale up its usage of SAFs and has an incentive program to encourage more airlines to use sustainable fuels to contribute to 7.5% carbon savings and meet its mandate of 11% SAF by 2020 (Heathrow, 2020). Its sustainability plan plans to replace 90% of kerosene-based fuels with SAFs by 2050. Heathrow 2.0 endeavors to cut ground carbon emissions by over 45% by 2030 (Heathrow 2.0, 2019).
Plans for the Future
Besides its recent commitments to ensure sustainability in the aerospace industry, LGW is committed to ensuring sustainability in the long run. Its plans for advancing human capacities and entering sustainable partnerships have stemmed from several ways. In 2019, the airport took part in developing the UK’s Sustainable Aviation (SA) Decarbonization Roadmap and a year later became a signatory to it. Another partnership initiative that the airport is undertaking is enabling the recycling champions forum. In partnership with waste contractors, cleaning providers, and retail partners, it has created a culture where they hold regular meetings and forge ways to approach the future, with the discourse being on sustainable waste management techniques (Gatwickairport, 2020). This waste management move is comparable to the initiative of LHR of maximizing material usage as outlined in Heathrow 2.0 of becoming a zero-waste zone through repurposing practices.
Among the major inventions the UK is about to experience in the aviation industry is the launch of the Sustainable Travel Zone by LHR. This improvement will lead to a network of travel routes operating under subsidized costs, making it affordable and an attractive mode of traveling for the public (Heathrow, 2020). It will help mitigate the congestion witnessed on roads and improve air quality. Other plans by the airport include launching a Give Back Program, as captured in Heathrow 2.0, to help in community development and create a volunteering program to target more than 1 million residents (Heathrow 2.0, 2019). Similarly, through its “Our Second Decade of Change” publication and initiative, LGW plans to build on its milestones by offering more than 200 grants to the local communities. The funding will mostly be for helping the people affected by the airport’s operations and local events aimed at bringing people together (Gatwick, n.d.).
Moreover, both airports have indicated that their future operations will be guided by data and analytics (Gatwick, 2021; Heathrow 2.0). Information is essential in the various decision-making processes and is reflected in their recent reports. Big data is a transformational force in other industries, and LHR and LGW have been the first adopters of the technology to advance their operations. Much as big data has been used in interest in aviation for a while, it was not until recently that it received much consideration, especially in the two airports (ICA), 2019). In 2016 the big data market size in the aerospace sector was about $250, but it is projected that the amount has grown 20- fold to over $5000 by the end of 2021. The importance of big data has been realized through its value in helping reduce carbon footprint, airplane maintenance, and ensuring efficient energy consumption. Data generated by planes have been useful in predictively instituting repairs and maintenance activities before damages occur. Real-time data has created so much fluidity in airports to ensure operations run smoothly.
The environmental sustainability pillar has received the most attention, driven by the need for accurate data reporting and new research to propel innovations that will be transformational in aviation. There is a demand for airports to offer efficient services with in-depth knowledge of modern resources and technologies. LHR and LGW currently provide their services with the help of the internet of things (IOT), smart technology, and data analytics (Gatwick, 2021; Heathrow 2.0). In addition, other technologies cross-cut various industries like industry 4.0, 5G connections, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology. These technologies have eased operations, making them faster and more efficient.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Aviation can be a tremendous source of good globally if the concerns raised behind its sustainability can be addressed by reducing their detrimental impacts. The industry is undergoing a paradigm shift to ensure it will continue to meet the present need of the current generation without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. LHR and LGW have been at the forefront in realizing the sustainability of the aerospace industry. Findings from the study suggest that the two airports are involved in all three pillars of sustainable development. They are guided by sustainability standards set by different authorities in the aviation industry and their guidelines. In their strategic plans, they have roadmaps to ensure they meet their sustainability targets. The annual reports they release periodically suggest that both companies are on track to realizing their set goals.
Many similarities were realized in how LHR and LGW conduct their operations, as they are both guided by strategic sustainability plans. However, their operations vary so much. They are headed in the same direction, but they have assumed different paths. LHR, guided by its blueprint sustainability document “Heathrow 2.0”, has a more defined path to realizing its sustainability goals than LGW, which lacks such a document. Moreover, the airports are also mindful of the need to further their actions into the future and have plans to continue their plight for a sustainable planet by projecting their operations. Their operations mainly focus on technological advancements and building human capacities and partnerships.
The aviation industry has realized so much in its quest to be sustainable; however, there is still so much more. Future exploits in the aviation industry should be focused on introducing sustainability trends in the aviation and aerospace industry with applicable schemes. Like the case of LHR, airports and airlines should be guided by a sustainability plan, following the sustainability principles and considering aviation and aerospace operations and a variety of related items. Moreover, the aerospace industry should strive to explore the role of each pillar of sustainability in the aviation industry.
References
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. (n.d.). Sustainable (Green) Aviation. Web.
Ansell, P. J., & Haran, K. S. (2020). Electrified airplanes: A path to zero-emission air travel. IEEE Electrification Magazine, 8(2), 18-26.
Langenberg, Victor. (2018). Toward a sustainable agro-logistics in developing countries.
Boeing (2022). Soaring Higher, Together. 2022 Global Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Report. Web.
Brian Graham, Claire Guyer (2022) Environmental sustainability, airport capacity and European air transport liberalization: irreconcilable goals, Journal of Transport Geography, Volume7, Issue 3,1999.
Karaman, A. S., Kilic, M., & Uyar, A. (2018). Sustainability reporting in the aviation industry: worldwide evidence. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal.
David Lee, S., Fahey, D. W., Skowron, A., Allen, M. R., Burkhardt, U., Chen, Q., … & Gettelman, A. (2020). The contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing from 2000 to 2018. Atmospheric Environment, 117834
Gatwick (2020) Aircraft Noise and Space. Web.
Gatwick (2021) Our Future Plans. Web.
Gatwick (n.d) Our Community. We Invest In Our Local Community and Play a Vital Role in the Region’s Economy. Web.
Gatwickairport (2018). Gatwick key facts | Gatwick Airport. (online) Web.
Gatwickairport (2020). Sustainability – Our Decade of Change | Gatwick Airport. (online) Web.
Gatwick airport (n.d.). History | Gatwick Airport. (online) Web.
Gill, M. (2018). Sustainable aviation fuels, the next frontier for air transport. Web.
GOV.UK. (n.d.). Sustainable aviation. (online) Web.
Hannah Ritchie (2020). Climate change and flying: what share of global CO2 emissions come from aviation? Web.
Heathrow. Heathrow Carbon Footprint 2018. Web.
Heathrow (2020) Target Net-Zero. Heathrow’s Plan for the Critical Decade Ahead. Web.
Heathrow (2022). Heathrow’s Net Zero Plan. Web.
Heathrow 2.0 (2019) Sustainability Progress. (online) Web.
IATA (2018) Annual Review 2018. Web.
IATA (2019) Annual Review 2019. Web.
ICAO (2019) ICAO Environmental Report. Web.
Thompson Rachael (2021). Gatwick’s Circular System for Becoming a Zero Waste Airport. ENV. Web.
Zhang, F., & Graham, D. J. (2020). Air transport and economic growth: a review of the impact mechanism and causal relationships. Transport Reviews, 40(4), 506-528.
Appendices
Appendix 1: Global airline traffic efficiency and aviation efficiency
Appendix 3: Facts and Figure of Gatwick Airport
Appendix 4: Heathrow 2.0 in Figures
Appendix 5: Capacity Chart of Gatwick Airport
