Airlines and passengers reduce their carbon footprints while flying

Posted on Saturday 16 June 2012 in England, Flights

While many airlines are introducing new eco-friendly projects for aviation, the initiatives may financially affect passengers in the near future. For instance, officials representing the European Union (EU) are looking to charge airlines who do not find ways to reduce their carbon emissions, reports RT. Although air carrier companies are slated to comply, they could raise ticket prices in turn to compensate for the added expenses of becoming greener.

Not only could these types of policies affect European airlines, planes that fly to and from countries in regions like Asia and North America to Europe will also need to be a part of these laws. The idea has not been well received by many foreign organisations, who feel they should not be held accountable to EU laws. Experts say that it may cause a slippery slope, with each separate continent or even countries implementing their own rules. Many agree the EU should join forces with other officials involved in the United Nations.

"Travelling is always a two-way traffic," said Ajit Singh, civil aviation minister from India. "If they can impose sanctions, so can other countries."

Which airlines have the least amount of environmental impact?

Although travellers have no control over the airlines themselves, they can choose which carrier is best reducing its carbon footprint. At the annual ITB Berlin conference in Germany, the tourism organisation named some of the most eco-friendly airlines that offer travellers the best choices when they are concerned about their environmental impact.

This list is different than most airline awards, as some carriers who receive high praise for customer service and amenities may come in last for their lack of eco-friendly features.

Monarch, for instance, is a carrier based in the U.K. that has mostly modern planes that are equipped with fuel-efficient technology, reports UK Net Guide. They also keep their cabins minimums something's off here to encouraged maximum capacity for passengers, cutting down on flights and costs.

Tips for keep carbon footprints low while flying

Not only can Aussies choose eco-friendly flights, but there are also small things travellers can do to personally reduce waste and environmental impact when taking flights for short breaks Down Under or more lavish luxury travel excursions abroad.

Technology allows passengers to check-in with their phones and keep paper tickets to a minimum. If a fraction of travellers do this every year, it could eliminate thousands of paper scraps thrown away after one use.

Light packers can save money on excess baggage fees and also save airlines on fuel. Additional weight in cargo or in carry-on compartments causes the plane to require more power to take off and land.

Choosing an airline that is equipped with large planes can be a eco-friendly way to fly. On average, these aircrafts require less fuel to fly, as compared to smaller planes with fewer passengers.

Bringing snack on board can be another way to leave a smaller carbon footprint by flying. If travellers have reusable packaging for their drinks and food, they will not have to use packing from the airline and thus reduce waste.

Lastly, taxis can be an efficient way to journey to and from the airport, but may not be the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Many large cities have great public transportation options that can get tourists into the heart of city quickly and efficiently. This avenue is also more wallet-friendly and may allow travellers to learn how to navigate the system for more exploration on the rest of their holiday.

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