Navigating a Path to Environmentally Sustainable Aviation Future for Pakistan

The aviation industry is regarded as one of the least sustainable industries worldwide. Globally, it accounts for 2.5% of the total CO₂ emissions and contributes around 4% to the global warming. These figures are likely to increase in the future owing to the growing demand for air travel, which according to the European Commission can increase the emission of greenhouse gases from the aviation industry by 300% if no drastic measures are taken to reduce it.  With its consistently growing population and expanding air travel demands, Pakistan is no exception. As the country looks forward to modernise its aviation infrastructure, it faces a critical question: how can it foster sustainable and environmentally friendly growth in the aviation sector, given that Pakistan is ranked the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change?

Sustainable aviation refers to efforts aimed at reducing the industry’s contribution to climate change by minimising carbon emissions and embracing eco-friendly technologies. Pakistan, on its part, fortunately, has recognised the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation which is evident from the country’s 2021 National Climate Change Policy (NCCP). The policy has identified reducing aviation emissions as one of the key strategies for achieving national climate change mitigation targets. Under this policy, Pakistan has taken several measures which have resulted in notable feats for the country’s sustainable and environmentally friendly future which are worth reiterating here.

All major airports in Pakistan, for instance, have achieved ISO-14001 certification, which sets international standards for environmental management systems. Likewise, to reduce carbon emission, one of the leading airlines in the country, Air Blue, has made  significant strides toward greater fuel efficiency by inducting fuel-efficient aircraft such as the A321neo into its fleet, which consumes 20% less fuel compared to older models.

Are these measures commendable? The answer is ‘Yes’. But are these measures enough? The answer is ‘No’. These efforts are limited in scope and do not reflect a comprehensive industry-wide commitment to sustainability.

For aviation in Pakistan to truly achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly growth, it is crucial that all airlines, or at least the majority of them, prioritise fleet modernisation by incorporating fuel-efficient aircraft such as A321neo as mentioned above. It is understood that this is a challenging endeavour, especially given the heavy financial costs associated with acquiring the concerned aircraft. For instance, the base purchase price of a single A321neo Airbus is around $110 million. However, this is where the government’s role comes into play.

The government can facilitate and encourage this modernisation by providing financial incentives to the airlines, such as low-interest loans, subsidies, or tax breaks, to upgrade their fleets. A similar strategy has been adopted in Brazil, where the government is playing a key role in supporting airline modernisation by providing low-interest loans of around $900 million from its development bank (BNDES) to help airlines in acquiring new, and more fuel-efficient aircraft. The same strategy can be emulated in Pakistan.

The strategy would not only promote sustainability in the aviation sector but can also provide significant economic benefits for Pakistan by reducing the country’s dependency on costly fuel imports. Also, it can help airlines in cutting operational costs. For example, given that fuel accounts for up to 30% of an airline’s operational costs, this reduction can result in substantial savings for the airlines. To put things in perspective, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spends nearly $350 million annually on fuel. A 15% reduction in fuel consumption could save the airline over $50 million per year. Consequently, it could help offset the cost of purchasing new aircraft.

Another key strategy that Pakistan can pursue for achieving sustainable aviation is the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). At present, not a single airline in Pakistan has adopted SAF even though it is now considered a major feature of sustainable aviation around the world. According to several studies, it can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel.

However, the main challenge with SAF adoption especially in the context of Pakistan at present is its cost. As of 2022, SAF was priced at approximately $2,400 per ton, which is approximately twice the price of conventional jet fuel. The high cost of SAF is largely attributed to its limited production. However, the good news is that the production of SAF has increased fivefold over the past three years. This increase in production and subsequent supply is expected to make SAF cheaper and cost efficient over time.

In summation, the path towards a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation future in Pakistan goes through a collective industry-wide commitment. While the challenges, particularly financial, are undeniable, they are not insurmountable. The question now is: Will Pakistan take the necessary steps to address these challenges and advance towards a sustainable aviation future, or will it fall behind as the environmental costs of inaction continue to rise?