Finding eco-efficiency in domestic short-haul passenger transportation
Moberg, Jere (2020)
Moberg, Jere
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120526323
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120526323
Tiivistelmä
Airline scheduling is one of the most profound and complex tasks in airline management. The scheduling team of a hub-and-spoke airline must resolve the challenges of schedule attractiveness while maximizing aircraft utilization and connectivity. The ultra short-haul flight legs are vital part of the network structure as they feed passengers to connecting flights. But as flight time is so short, the energy-intensive phases of flight are not offset by cruise phase making them less eco-efficient than longer sectors.
Civil aviation globally accounts 2% of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Finland’s domestic air traffic accounts 2% of emissions from whole domestic transportation. Finland has declared to halve CO2 emissions generated by domestic transportation by 2030 and have carbon-free transportation sector by 2045. Various regions have published their climate strategies supporting the goal.
This research was conducted as a qualitative case study to understand current level of eco-efficiency in the Finnish domestic transportation sector. Data was collected by interviewing subject matter expert’s in various transportation related companies and regional organizations.
Results show that eco-efficiency actions are vital part of companies’ strategies and visible throughout the company. Currently transportation companies would like to be even more eco-efficient, but their actions are not yet supported. Operators view that consumers are not yet prepared to alter their travelling or purchasing behavior even if it would mean more eco-efficient transportation and legislation should be more supportive towards their environmental initiatives. Company customers are more responsible as companies own eco targets guide their staff travels. For individuals it is currently challenging to compare transport methods eco-efficiency as there is no widely accepted ecolabel scheme available for transportation sector.
Carbon neutrality means a paradigm shift. The industry cannot wait for new technological developments for increased eco-efficiency, but they need to act themselves by finding new approaches. Replacing ultra-short haul flying with alternative transportation methods could be a viable solution if the challenges of infrastructure, service concept and schedule feasibility are resolved.
Civil aviation globally accounts 2% of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Finland’s domestic air traffic accounts 2% of emissions from whole domestic transportation. Finland has declared to halve CO2 emissions generated by domestic transportation by 2030 and have carbon-free transportation sector by 2045. Various regions have published their climate strategies supporting the goal.
This research was conducted as a qualitative case study to understand current level of eco-efficiency in the Finnish domestic transportation sector. Data was collected by interviewing subject matter expert’s in various transportation related companies and regional organizations.
Results show that eco-efficiency actions are vital part of companies’ strategies and visible throughout the company. Currently transportation companies would like to be even more eco-efficient, but their actions are not yet supported. Operators view that consumers are not yet prepared to alter their travelling or purchasing behavior even if it would mean more eco-efficient transportation and legislation should be more supportive towards their environmental initiatives. Company customers are more responsible as companies own eco targets guide their staff travels. For individuals it is currently challenging to compare transport methods eco-efficiency as there is no widely accepted ecolabel scheme available for transportation sector.
Carbon neutrality means a paradigm shift. The industry cannot wait for new technological developments for increased eco-efficiency, but they need to act themselves by finding new approaches. Replacing ultra-short haul flying with alternative transportation methods could be a viable solution if the challenges of infrastructure, service concept and schedule feasibility are resolved.