Future of Green Aviation

HYDERABAD: ‘Go green’ is the new mantra of the aviation industry. And this was evident at the ongoing India Aviation 2012 that saw majority of the participants riding high on their ‘environment friendly’ products. From leading aviation manufacturers such as Airbus andBoeing (Dreamliner) to major engine developers such as Pratt & Whitney, Power Jet and GE, all used the ‘eco-efficient’ tag prominently to market their offerings.

If Power Jet showcased its ‘SAM146′ jet engine as a state-of-the-art `green’ technology-driven product, Pratt & Whitney stressed on how its new engine wash facility (called EcoPower engine wash) was free of toxic chemicals and detergents. Boeing’s Dreamliner was presented as a `cleaner, quieter and more efficient’ aircraft that not only reduced carbon emissions by a good 20 per cent but also guaranteed 40 per cent less noise footprint. Even GE made deliberate attempts to highlight its new fuel and carbon solutions, which they claimed can help a typical mid-sized airline save an average of three to six per cent on their aircraft related carbon dioxide emissions. Airbus, apart from talking about their 70 per cent market share in India, also spared a few minutes to speak about its efforts in creating alternative fuels that have now been authorized for use on commercial passenger flights.

“Environmental issues that were once part of a company’s corporate social responsibility have now become the focal point. Like most other sectors, the aviation industry too is concerned about the environment now,” said Palash Roy Chowdhury, managing director-India (commercial engineers and global services) of Pratt & Whitney.

Link: http://www.geaviation.com/ourcommitment/ehs/ehscommitment.html