Speaking at a Eurocontrol panel in Brussels on Tuesday, the IATA Director General said he was optimistic about the industry reaching its long-term goals of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. However, the price of the green premium will shop up on ticket fares.

Achievable but expensive

The first time Mr. Walsh, who before taking up his role at IATA in April 2020 was the CEO of IAG, was ever asked a question about CO2 was in 2005 (the same year he became Chief Executive at British Airways). In the past five to seven years, interest and awareness around the topic have grown, and this will only intensify moving forward.

However, the public is not significantly aware of the work the industry is doing to combat its environmental impact. Walsh says that not being vocal about aviation's efforts to decarbonize is a fair criticism leveled at the industry. He is optimistic about reaching the ambitious net-zero emissions by 2050, set by individual carriers and airline alliances, and IATA as a whole. Meanwhile, the cost of lower carbon operations will trickle down to the end consumer.

"We haven't been vocal enough in terms of telling people what we're doing and what we intend to do. But I'm very confident the industry has committed to net-zero and 2050. It will be tough to get there. But without question, we will get there. It is going to cost a lot of money. And the transition from where we are today to 2050 is going to be tough, and it's going to be expensive, and it will be reflected in ticket prices. Without question, prices will increase as a result of the challenge to decarbonize the industry."

Lack of political will to reform ATC is "a scandal"

However, the support for the industry to get to where it needs to is sorely lacking from politicians, Walsh believes. No matter how efficient an aircraft is, it hardly even matters if it is being operated inefficiently. According to Walsh, the failure to implement the Single European Sky (which, according to research, could cut Europe's aviation CO2 emissions by up to 10% in one go) is "a disgrace."

He further stated,

"Let's call it for what it is. It is a scandal. We will be lectured as an industry by politicians who will say we have to improve our performance, and the same politicians will do nothing to address the structural inefficiency that exists in Europe. It is the political will that isn't there - the technology is there. You know, airlines have already invested in the technology to enable them to fly their aircraft much more efficiently than we're able to. So if we're genuine about addressing this challenge and sustainability, we have to address every aspect of it."

Willie Walsh delivering keynote adress at Changi summit
Mr Walsh thinks European politicians should get off their behinds and sort out air traffic control. Photo: Getty Images

Mr. Walsh continued,

"We have got to tackle these issues. It's just too important. We can't ignore it. So whether we call it the Single European Sky, or whether we call it "get off your arse and sort out this inefficiency," it needs to be done."

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