Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Private Jet Emissions: A Research Proposal for Air Canada

Introduction

In recent years, the aviation industry has attracted much attention due to its role in influencing the environment more through carbon emissions. From the perspective of convenience for the passenger and luxury, private jets may have higher emissions per passenger than commercial flights. As awareness of environmental issues spreads and consumption of environmentally friendly products increases, entities like Air Canada are expected to consider the impact of their activities on the environment. This research proposal examines strategies that can be implemented to combat the environmental effects of private jets and proposes that Air Canada embark on green practices.

Background

As a pioneer in the airline industry, Air Canada possesses the moral burden to take care of the environmental consequences of its operations. Jet planes make up a notable share of the emissions, mostly carbon dioxide, the leading cause of global warming. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has owned the challenging emissions reduction objectives, and Air Canada must play its part in fulfilling these objectives.

Literature Review

In today’s globalized marketplace, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. This growing awareness has contributed to consumers’ griping of such environmentally friendly goods and services as an ever-increasing trend. Research like Nielsen’s shows that about 66% of consumers pay extra money for products that belong to companies with sustainability as a main value proposition (Kaczorowska et al., 2019). The changing trends in consumers’ behavior towards the environment act as a force that Air Canada could benefit from by providing the service and presenting a positive image by being more environmentally friendly.

Air Canada has a wide airline market share and is suitably placed to take advantage of this trend. By showing strong sustainability support and embracing eco-friendly methods, Air Canada has a chance to bridge the gap with competitors and draw the attention of consumers looking for green travel services. It leads to specific benefits for the company, such as the generation of customer loyalty, a company’s good image, and, finally, higher turnover.

Technology has been moving in aviation with development and new possibilities for lessening the environmental footprint of air transportation. Electric and hybrid propulsion systems, which may also be considered as alternatives to traditional propulsion systems with fossil fuel-based units providing power, offer a better way out (Wheeler et al., 2021). These technologies can substantially reduce carbon footprint and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, the main cause of global warming. Furthermore, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) have now become another way of averting the Greenhouse Gas emissions, which are dominant in the aviation industries. SAFs are synthesized using alternate biofuels; thus, they are a more sustainable option than traditional jet fuel.

The invention and implementation of eco-friendly technologies give Air Canada a big chance to lower its CO2 level and serve as a pioneer in green aviation (Jutras et al., 2021). Through such investments and incorporating these technologies into its fleet of private jets, Air Canada can show its dedication towards environmental protection and initiate an exemplary trend in this sector. Also, adopting eco-friendly methods may naturally bring about cost benefits for Air Canada in the long term. Although it may involve some initial investment in adopting those technologies, there could be the matter of reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs that promote savings in the long run. Moreover, with governments globally setting up stringent regulations on carbon emissions in the aviation industry, investing in green technologies will likely allow Air Canada to stay ahead of regulatory requirements and avoid penalties.

The growing interest in eco-friendly products and technologies in aviation will help Air Canada reduce the negative environmental influence of its private jet emissions. By implementing eco-friendly technologies, utilizing sustainable aviation fuels, and a strong commitment to environmental consciousness, Air Canada can rise to the top in terms of its brand image while contributing to the ideals of a cleaner aviation industry.

Methodology

The research methodology will balance qualitative and quantitative approaches to give relevant and reliable outcomes. The surveys will be constructed and distributed to customers of different likes to determine their interest in environmentally friendly private jets, what makes them interested in sustainable travel options, and how much they are willing to pay for such services. The focus groups will reinforce the study results and identify the attitudes and views of consumers on the green airline industry. The overall review strategy will include reviewing existing literature and case studies to identify successful solutions and strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry. This methodological approach will allow us to develop a profound comprehension of customer taste and industry trends, which will be translated into useful information for Air Canada to shift the focus to lowering private jet emissions.

Expected Benefits for Air Canada

Implementing eco-friendly practices in private jet operations can yield several benefits for Air Canada:

1. Enhanced Brand Image: Through the sustainability program, Air Canada is signaling to environmentally-sensitive customers its CSR intention and hence portraying a focus on the environment in its operations and, by extension, improving its brand image (Dragomir & Dragomir, 2020).
2. Competitive Advantage: Specifying environmentally friendly private jets can be the basis for Air Canada to become the competition leader in the luxury travel sector; the company attracts the clientele categories who value sustainability.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Air Canada could avoid the fine and penalty trouble when it follows the environmental rules and targtargetsy the IATA, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
4. Long-term Cost Savings: Although implementations of environmentally friendly technologies entail, initially, high investments, this makes it possible to increase the operation’s efficiency, so the fuel consumption and maintenance costs will be significantly reduced (Shrivastava, P. (2018).

Conclusion

Finally, changes in the consumers’ tendency to buy ecological products and the development of aviation technology motivate the airlines to deal with the private jet emissions impact. Through the commitment to investing in eco-friendly technologies, including electric and hybrid propulsion systems and sustainable aviation fuels, Air Canada can effectively demonstrate its strong attachment to sustainability and maintain a leadership position in sustainable aviation. Similarly, implementing these routines can be cost-effective in the long term and help with regulatory compliance. They can also improve the reputation of the brand and attract eco-friendly customers. Through proactive actions and the right investments, Air Canada can become the main initiator in reshaping a greener future for the aviation industry.

References

Jutras, J., Naik, R. K., Jawad, Z., Razvi, J., Wang, M., Rameshwarsingh, S., … & Zia, A. (2021). The Ongoing Evolution of Air Travel.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-29548-6_3

Kaczorowska, J., Rejman, K., Halicka, E., Szczebyło, A., & Górska-Warsewicz, H. (2019). Impact of food sustainability labels on the perceived product value and price expectations of urban consumers. Sustainability, 11(24), 7240.https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247240

Shrivastava, P. (2018). Environmental technologies and competitive advantage. In Business Ethics and Strategy, Volumes I and II (pp. 317-334). Routledge.https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315261102-20/environmental-technologies-competitive-advantage-paul-shrivastava

Wheeler, P., Sirimanna, T. S., Bozhko, S., & Haran, K. S. (2021). Electric/hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems. Proceedings of the IEEE, 109(6), 1115-1127.https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2021.3073291