Impact on climate due to suspension of passenger flights as a COVID-19 preventive measure

Abstract

Aviation has been a sector that has heavily contributed towards easing lives, addressing transportation needs, and paving the way for new job roles. Since the invention of aircraft, its usage has increased dramatically, which has caused a rampant surge in the frequency of flying. Ever since industrialization, pollution and its harmful effects on the environment have been a pressing issue. Due to this, the airline industry has continuously taken initiatives to protect the atmosphere without disturbing the frequency of flying. Initiatives including better aircraft design, fuel efficiency, optimized routes, restrictions on flight cargo, etc., have been constantly adapted and experimented with to reduce aircrafts' carbon footprint. Recently, flights had to be suspended on a large scale to avoid coronavirus spread and promote social distancing. Initially, foreign flights were banned from entering Indian soil. The ban was soon extended to domestic travel. This paper focuses on the impact of this preventive measure on the environment. The report follows a systematic approach by analyzing the environmental conditions before and after the suspension of flights in India and checks for significant changes in critical ecological health indicators. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and document the impact of this measure and highlight its benefits, thereby aiding to take novel initiatives at corporate and at government levels to ensure a sustainable future.

Imprint

Vishnupriya Srinivasakumar, Kedar Bhagwat . IMPACT ON CLIMATE DUE TO SUSPENSION OF PASSENGER FLIGHTS AS A COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURE. Cardiometry; Issue 25; December 2022; p.703-716; DOI: 10.18137/cardiometry.2022.25.703716; Available from: https://www.cardiometry.net/issues/no25-december-2022/impact-climate-due-suspension