Environmental aspects of air traffic expansion

To expand, aviation must have a reliable, cost effective energy supply, andeffectively deal with environmental issues related to energy production, noise, airquality, and climate change.This work describes the challenges arising from theenvironmental influences of air traffic and presents short-term projections of howthe expansion of air traffic will affect global indicators of climate change. Thedevelopment of air traffic, although it contributes to total greenhouse gases muchless than other sources, nevertheless is helping to drive the strong increase inthese gases in the atmosphere. This work presents technological solutions to theenvironmental problems caused by air traffic, primarily by reducing emissions ofCO2 and NOx. Emphasis is placed on more efficient fuel consumption duringoperational segments before and during landing. This work describes acollaboration between the Faculty of Traffic Sciences of the University of Zagreband Croatia Airlines to measure the fuel-saving effects of using the continuousdescent approach (CDA). The prospects of implementing CDA in Croatianairspace are discussed.

Keywords:

air traffic , continuous descent approach