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A recent study showed a 46% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in aviation sector from 2019 to 2023, mainly driven by private aviation.
According to the paper, Private aviation contributed at least about 3.6 tonnes of CO2 per flight.
Environmental Impact of Aviation and Private Jets
The aviation sector is one of the top 10 global greenhouse gas emitters, with high carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide emissions, and harmful vapour trails.
Private jets contribute significantly to emissions, being 5-14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights and 50 times more than trains.
The number of aircraft increased from 25,993 in December 2023 to 26,454 in February 2024 and is expected to grow further exacerbating the situation
Growth of Private Aviation in India
India has 112 private planes registered as of March 2024, ranking among the top 20 countries in private aircraft ownership.
The rise in private jet use correlates with India's growing number of billionaires and millionaires, despite its relatively low aircraft per population ratio (0.01) compared to countries like the Malta (46.51), the U.S. (5.45)
The number of private jets is expected to increase, but concerns about environmental impact remain.
Government Initiatives to Boost Air Connectivity
‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN)
Launched to improve regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable for the common man, this initiative has increased air travel accessibility in rural areas.
‘Nextgen Airports for Bharat Nirman’ (NABH)
Aimed at enhancing airport capacity across India, the NABH initiative seeks to increase airport infrastructure fivefold, supporting the growth of both domestic and international air travel.
Challenges in Decarbonizing Aviation
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), hydrogen, and electrification have not been widely implemented due to technical and cost barriers.
SAFs are expensive (120% more than conventional jet fuel) and face supply limitations.
Hydrogen and electrification are currently impractical due to infrastructure and technical challenges, such as battery weight and aircraft design.
Potential Solutions and India's Role
India has tested low-carbon fuels, such as jatropha-based aviation fuel, but SAF commercialization remains limited.
Experts suggest the alcohol-to-jet pathway (using surplus sugar) could be a viable medium-term solution for aviation fuel.
By 2050, India could meet 15-20% of its aviation fuel demand through ethanol-derived SAF, but it needs careful planning to avoid adverse environmental impacts.
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