Aviation Policy Research Articles

Global air freight flow data for aviation policy modelling

Models of air freight are often constrained by a lack of available data. This study brings together different sources of air freight supply and demand data to address this gap. To study air freight operations, we combine schedules, flight tracking data and country-level databases of passenger and freight movements to produce estimates of global flight segment-level capacity and load factors in freighter aircraft and passenger holds for 2019–2021. To study true origin-ultimate destination air freight demand, a freight mode choice model by commodity group is developed for 2019 to fill gaps in mode information in international and national trade datasets, and estimates are made for 2019 and 2021. Initial comparisons of supply and demand data demonstrate that air freight journeys differ significantly from passenger journeys, typically including more flight legs (roughly, around 2, compared to 1.2 for passengers) and greater leg distances (2.2–2.5 times average passenger distance), with significant asymmetry in commodity flows and operations to and from individual countries and regions. These differences persist in 2021, despite COVID-19 induced shifts towards carrying more air freight in freighter aircraft. This research forms a first step towards making available an integrated database of estimated global air freight flows by commodity.

Analyzing India's National Civil Aviation Policy and Global Trends in Contemporary Civil Aviation Policies

The expansion of the Indian economy is expected to extend to remote regions, and while market-driven processes are ideal for regional air connectivity, there is recognition of the valuable role of public policy in this endeavor. The UDAN Scheme follows a market-oriented approach where operators assess demand, propose routes, and navigate variables like traffic rights, slot allocation, regulatory restrictions, and infrastructure limitations. Global airline industry deregulation has introduced healthy competition, enhancing efficiency and service quality, leading to increased passenger traffic. Studies have highlighted the constructive impact of improved air connectivity on the economic development of regions. Efficient airports are vital economic catalysts, but research suggests that some regional airports operate inefficiently, missing opportunities for profitability. Government subsidies and policies for enhancing regional and remote air connectivity are common practices worldwide, with schemes like EAS in the United State and PSO in Europe bridging the accessibility gap. Research is crucial to understand policy effects on air connectivity and identify factors that improve outcomes. Route dispersal guidelines, such as those in India, can create financial redistribution between route categories, affecting airlines' profitability and serving state capitals over remote regions. Policymakers must find effective ways to enhance air transport to underserved areas where market dynamics might not naturally establish viable transportation links. In summary, this study emphasizes the importance of government-supported policies like UDAN and the role of market-oriented approaches in promoting regional air connectivity. It underlines the need for research to assess policy impacts and identifies the challenges and opportunities in enhancing air connectivity to remote and underserved regions.

Projecting the economic burden of health impacts of aircraft noise: a case study of Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

While the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in the United States optimizes flight patterns, it has led to the unintended consequence of increasing aircraft noise exposure in some communities near airports. Despite the evidence that chronic exposure to high noise levels produces detrimental health effects, potential adverse health consequences due to increased noise in the affected communities have not been adequately considered in aviation policy discussions. We assessed the long-term health and associated economic burden of increased aircraft noise caused by NextGen near the Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International (BWI) airport in Maryland. A probabilistic Markov model projected the incremental health and associated economic burden over 30, 20, and 10 years, comparing post-NextGen noise exposure levels to pre-NextGen levels. Health outcomes included cardiovascular disease (CVD), anxiety disorders, noise annoyance, and low birth weight (LBW). Noise exposure was categorized into four levels (<55 dB DNL, 55-60 dB DNL, 60-65 dB DNL, >65 dB DNL). A Monte Carlo simulation with 2000 iterations was run to obtain incremental burden estimates and uncertainty intervals. One-way sensitivity analyses for noise effect parameters were conducted. Increased aircraft noise exposure was estimated to produce (discounted) incremental mortality costs of $362 million, morbidity costs of $336 million, and losses of 15,326 Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) over the next 30 years. Sensitivity analyses revealed the greatest uncertainty for CVD outcomes. NextGen is a system that can increase the operational efficiency of airports by optimizing flight patterns. While operational efficiency is beneficial in many ways, changes in flight patterns and volume can also produce noise pollution, a major public health concern that should be considered in policy decision-making. This study quantifies the long-term health and economic implications of increased aircraft noise exposure following the implementation of NextGen in communities near the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Our findings underscore the importance of considering public health consequences of noise pollution.

Voluntary carbon offset programs in aviation: A systematic literature review

A comprehensive literature review on voluntary carbon offsetting (VCO) programs in aviation highlights a predominant focus on offsetters' sociodemographic traits, behavioral triggers, and propensity to pay for offsets, inadvertently overshadowing the critical exploration of policy efficacy. Despite enriching our understanding of air passenger behavior, these studies afford limited insights into the role of VCO programs in enhancing aviation sustainability. The potential of VCO programs to significantly curtail aviation emissions becomes questionable, as increased participation could paradoxically raise offset costs, necessitating public policy intervention. Compounding the challenge is the low level of awareness about VCO programs and the aviation industry's misleading claims, suggesting a propensity toward greenwashing. While air passenger preference leans toward pro-environmental aviation policies and mandatory offsetting, several countries resort to non-earmarked, distance-based air passenger taxes, ostensibly to encourage sustainable travel. This review underscores the urgency for a balanced approach, marrying individual initiatives and structural reforms to effectively manage VCO programs in aviation and yield significant emission reductions. The role of public policy in ensuring transparency in VCO communications is also strongly emphasized.

The Value Addition of National Civil Aviation Policy Implementation to Airport Development in Nigeria: A Qualitative Assessment

The Value Addition of National Civil Aviation Policy Implementation to Airport Development in Nigeria: A Qualitative Assessment

조종사 항공전문교육기관의 비행 안전 강화를 위한 인프라 개선 방안 연구-무안공항 중심

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's '6th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan' outlines&#x0D; the aviation policy for the period of 2021 to 2025, which includes the relocation of Gwangju Airport to&#x0D; Muan Airport. This is expected to bring significant changes to the domestic aviation industry and educational&#x0D; institutions. Moreover, challenges are anticipated due to a shortage of pilots caused by the COVID-19 Endemic&#x0D; and related facility inadequacies. Therefore, this study conducts a comprehensive investigation and analysis&#x0D; of the training infrastructure for pilots at domestic universities, focusing on Muan Airport. It aims to identify&#x0D; problems and constraints, as well as propose solutions and cooperation models by conducting parallel research&#x0D; on foreign cases. The proposed measures include firstly, improving existing infrastructure, secondly,&#x0D; suggesting the construction of new infrastructure, and finally, presenting ways to strengthen collaboration&#x0D; between industry, academia, and government to address this issue.

Evaluating Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Technologies A Strategic Analysis Using the WASPAS Method

Over the past 25 years, international passenger air traffic has tripled, and this rapid growth is expected to continue for the next 25 years. While the expansion of the aviation sector brings significant economic benefits, it also poses substantial social and environmental challenges. To address these, a "sustainable aviation policy" has been proposed as a "balanced plan" that seeks to mitigate the environmental impacts of the sector's growth while acknowledging its economic advantages. However, this definition of "sustainable aviation" is contested by various organizations, and there is little agreement between non-governmental organizations and the aviation industry. Consequently, the concept of a "standard aviation policy" remains in dispute, with different parties attempting to modify it to align with their respective goals. To develop policies for sustainable aviation, competing environmental discourses have been identified and analyzed using a classification exercise supported by rhetorical, stylistic, and thematic analysis. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one approach used for multi-attribute decision-making that satisfies the consistency requirements of each reciprocal matrix. Recently, the "Weighted Aggregates Sum Product Assessment System" (WASPAS) has been introduced in the literature, combining the weighted product sum and basic aggregate weighting methods.

Civil Aviation Policies and Practices in Turkey in a Global Context Through Sustainable Aviation.

The negative environmental effects of global civil aviation growth since the 19th century lead to the emergence of the "sustainable aviation" concept. This study aims to determine the current status of sustainability discussions in developing Turkish civil aviation and its alignment with global sustainable aviation policies. The research data are collected through document analysis and key expert interviews. Document analysis is to review reports on sustainable aviation and to compare two cases of AirFrance-KLM and Turkish Airlines. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with key experts from airline companies, public institutions, and subsidiary services in the Turkish aviation sector. The analysis results are presented under the themes of "institutional, conceptual, Turkey's current situation, motivations, role of international organizations, cooperation and coordination, problems and obstacles." The results show that the Turkish civil aviation industry is enthusiastic about catching up with international standards and is successful in keeping up with the latest technologies. The private sector is leading the sector by targeting global competitiveness. Current deficiencies stem from legislation, incentives, obligations, resources, and environmental awareness. The main contribution is to be the first source and guide for future studies that aim to shed light on policymaking in Turkey as an emerging country case.

Disruption and recovery of the US domestic airline networks during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious impacts on the airline industry. Ensuring that aviation policies in emergent situations both guarantee network connectivity and maintain competition among airlines is crucial in these circumstances. To this end, we aimed to understand the network dynamics of individual airlines. In this study, we quantitatively reveal the day-to-day dynamics of these US domestic airline networks, comprising 17 airlines, from January 2019 to December 2021. Specifically, we applied a framework for analyzing temporal networks, in which the network structure changes over time. We found that, first, even though the number of nodes and edges returned to pre-pandemic levels around July 2021, the structure of the entire US domestic airline network remained altered. We also found that the network dynamics varied significantly from airline to airline. Full-service carriers were less flexible in changing their network structure and suffered higher revenue losses. On the contrary, most regional carriers completely shifted to a new structure, which may have contributed to reducing their revenue losses. Low-cost carriers were characterized by more pronounced differences between airlines and drastically changed their network structure immediately after the declaration of a national emergency. Finally, we also examined the recovery process and found that the flights connecting airports that are more central and share more common neighbors, and those connecting airports with larger numbers of connections tend to recover earlier for most of the airlines.

Seeking wicked problems, finding opportunities: Advancing Australian general aviation policy beyond COVID-19

The efficacy and value of Australian general aviation policy has been the subject of strident debate. While a program of regulatory reform has shaped activity in the last decade, little documented evidence of coherent sector development or stimulus exists. The purpose of this paper is to highlight policy issues of contemporary concern to a sample of Australian general aviation stakeholders and to capture insights into their attitudes about the current policy environment. The paper presents the early qualitative findings from part of a longitudinal study into the sector, and initially asks whether the economic concept of ‘wicked problems’ represents a frame for understanding some of the impediments identified by the respondents. The results suggest that although there is a willingness to engage with progressive policy initiatives, efforts to resolve endemic and emergent issues are being compromised by the current bureaucratic engagement strategies in place to participate in industry planning.

An Approach for Quick Method of Estimating Passenger And Aircraft Demand for Feeder Air Services in India

The recent and the proposed entry of new airlines both in the ‘no-frills’ and in the "full service" categories has completely changed the aviation scenario in India. Obviously this explosive increase in capacity will have a profound effect on the economy of the airlines both in the short term as well as in the long-term period. A growth of over 25% per annum in passenger traffic may not be sustainable for long; thus galloping increase in capacity may result in mergers and strategic alliances of airlines on one side and closing down of some of the airlines on the other side. A point, which is to be noted is that, most of the new entrants also operate in the major trunk routes and serve the metros and the major cities. What appears to have not been tapped is the equally large potential in the regional and short haul sectors, which serve major, and small city pairs and also act as feeders to the major hubs.Realizing the importance of this, the government in its new civil aviation policy has given thrust to regional/ short-haul air travel. In this paper, an attempt is made to review the hierarchy of airline networks in India with respect to trunk, major and feeder routes. The air passenger traffic carried in terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) is compared with upper class rail traffic. The present status of feeder airline services in India is outlined. It is pertinent to study the passenger traffic demand in these feeder routes as compared to upper class rail traffic as some percentage of upper class rail passengers are willing to shift to air travel due to marginal difference between airfare and upper class rail fare and time factor. The future RPKs are forecasted based on the actual RPKs data and the estimated RPKs of earlier market survey. A suitable aircraft size for airline operations in these feeder routes is arrived at based on existing air traffic data by a simplified approach from the basic principles of airline business. A macroscopic measure is used to determine the aircraft demand by assuming average block speed and utilization for each aircraft type. A sensitivity analysis was carried out for various levels of traffic growth keeping in view the sharp increase of air travel in recent years and further growth in air traffic fuelled by feeder sector as the hinterland opens up industry, services and tourism.

Liberalisation and spatio- temporal patterns of air traffic flow from Nigeria to West Africa

Abstract The liberalisation of aviation policies across Africa has had a significant impact on air traffic flow within the region. This study aims to examine the effects of this policy, with a specific focus on Nigeria’s regional connectivity to other West African countries. By analyzing data from the pre and post-liberalisation eras, the study aims to determine the changes in passenger and aircraft movement and evaluate the significance of the policy on Nigeria’s sub-region. The study utilizes a longitudinal data set covering the period between 1988 and 2018. This data is divided into two eras: the pre-liberalisation era (1988-2000) and the post-liberalisation era (2001-2018). To assess the impact of liberalisation, a t-test is conducted on the data, comparing the air traffic flow patterns before and after the implementation of liberalisation policies.The findings reveal a substantial improvement in the air traffic flow of passengers and aircraft from Nigeria to other West African countries since the introduction of liberalisation policies. The growth patterns observed in the post-liberalisation era exhibit a linear trend, indicating sustained progress. However, uncertainties arising from hazards in air transport operations can influence the growth patterns.The study underscores the positive impact of African aviation liberalisation policy on air traffic flow, particularly in the regional context of Nigeria’s connectivity with other West African countries. The results demonstrate significant improvements in passenger and aircraft movement. However, to fully capitalize on the benefits of liberalisation, regional efforts and an improved framework need to be intensified. This will ensure sustained growth and maximize the advantages of liberalisation in the aviation sector.

Assessing Good Practices in Construction Safety and Phasing Plans

Construction Safety and Phase Planning (CSPP) is a crucial document to have an impact on normal airport operations for any airport construction project. The basic intent of every CSPP is to minimize risk and to ensure that airport operations are not hindered at the time of construction activities taking place on the site. It is important to have such documents readily planned and prepared before initiating any construction activity at the airport. However, the requirements for such documents vary significantly around the world. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) helps to create a mutual understanding of aviation policy, framework, and guidance. There is a lack of data identifying the differences between ICAO and CSPP. This can be challenging in terms of participating in the overseas market for consultancies and engineering firms for the very first time. Eventually, to perform the best practice for CSPP development, a lot of practicing firms find it arduous as there is little data available on understanding the best practice. This paper provides data that discusses and questions the possibility of best practices for CSPP development within the current industry and is further bolstered by case studies, surveys, and other empirical research found in project management research. The paper also confers the key differences present in the current practicing CSPP developments and the requirements published in ICAO states.

Strategic Assessment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Technologies Using WASPAS Method

In the last 25 years, the amount of international passenger air traffic has tripled, and it is anticipated that this rapid growth will continue in the upcoming 25 years. Although it has significant economic advantages, the expansion of the aviation sector may also have more negative social and environmental effects. “Sustainable aviation policy" is created as a "balanced plan" to address this. While highlighting the financial advantages of the aviation industry, it seeks to address the significant environmental effects of its expansion. This definition of "sustainable aviation" is contested by other organizations, because there is little consensus among nongovernmental Organizations and the aviation sector. “Standard aviation policy" is therefore in dispute, and several parties attempt to change it to suit their own objectives. In order to build policies for sustainable aviation, competing environmental discourses were identified and examined through a classification exercise assisted by rhetorical, stylistic, and thematic analysis. An approach for making judgments involving multiple attributes, which ensures the consistency requirements of each reciprocal matrix, is the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Recently, a new method called the Weighted Aggregates Sum Product Assessment System (WASPAS) has been introduced in the literature. WASPAS combines the principles of the weighted product sum and basic aggregate weighting techniques. Linguistic assessments are typically chosen as in decision-making matrix when there is uncertainty and ambiguity. As a result, the purpose of this study is to synthesis WASPAS approaches and adds to the literature. The challenge of outsourcing producer evaluation and selection is resolved using the suggested approach. The options available are HEFA_SO, HEFA_YG, VB_Stover, VB_Pine, ATJ_Stover, ATJ_Pine, DSHC_Stover, DSHC_Pine, FP_Stover, FP_Pine, GFT_Stover, and GFT_Pine. The criteria used for evaluation are TCI (Total Capital Investment in MM$), OPEX (Operating Expenses in MM$), MFSP ($ L− 1) (Minimum Fuel Selling Price in dollars per liter), and MFSP ($ Mg− 1) (Minimum Fuel Selling Price in dollars per mega gram).

On the contagion leakage via incoming flights during China’s aviation policies in the fight against COVID-19

For nearly three years with the COVID-19 pandemic, China has implemented a set of strict policies to control the flux of potential virus carriers in cross-border flights: The so-called Circuit Breaker mechanism. In this study, we review the evolution of this mechanism – a rather unique experiment in the global aviation system — from a data-driven perspective. Specifically, we perform an investigation on the extent of violations and their potential drivers. In total, 183 events are analyzed covering the period from epidemic outbreak in early 2020 to December 2021. In addition to describing the spatial extent and temporal evolution, we develop a regression model which helps us to better understand the universal patterns. By dissecting an under-investigated phenomenon, we believe that our study contributes to the rich literature on aviation and COVID-19, not only in the specific context of China, but also by assessing some of the challenges and potential of containing a global health threat using strict aviation policies.

Noise points as an instrument to measure (and limit) noise exposure – empirical findings from Europe 2015-2020

Aircraft noise is the biggest environmental problem around airports, as it has a negative impact on the health of local residents. Therefore, aircraft noise is an important constraint in airport development. Residents' concerns can lead to restrictions on airport capacity, as in the recent case of Amsterdam Schiphol. At this airport, a reduction/limitation of aircraft movements was chosen as a policy instrument to reduce noise impact. Such an approach can be criticized from the point of views of economic efficiency and noise impact among others, as only the number of aircraft movements is taken into account and neither different noise levels nor departure/approach times are not considered. However, the latter parameters also have a significant noise impact, e.g. the different noise levels caused by different types of aircraft. Furthermore, airlines have no advantage in using modern, quieter aircraft or avoiding evening or night for operations if only the number of movements are considered in a regulatory policy. In the worst case such simple restrictions can even have negative impacts on the health of local residents. In this paper, the authors present an alternative approach in which the noise impact at an airport is quantified by different noise point systems. The idea of such systems is similar to the quota count used for London airports at night. Two different options for calculating noise points are presented. The noise point systems are applied to available data of aircraft movements at European airports for the period 2015-2020. Due to the current relevance for aviation policy, a special focus is placed on Amsterdam Schiphol in the analysis and discussion. Based on empirical data, it can be shown that decoupling noise impact from the number of aircraft movements is possible for major European airports, even in a relatively limited time frame. Furthermore, noise point systems could not only be used for noise monitoring, but also as a regulatory tool that ensures the limitation (or even reduction) of noise impact while allowing for a more sustainable growth of the air transport system. From the point of view of noise impact and economic efficiency, such an approach is preferable to a restriction of aircraft movements.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Participation in Civil Aviation Policy and Decision Making

This article discusses the role and influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in civil aviation. These organizations represent a way for united citizens to realize some of their global (national) interests, that is, to realize their ideals. NGOs participate in the work of international institutions and cooperate with specialized UN agencies. For the consideration of civil aviation NGOs, which have global coverage, the relationship and influence they achieve in relation to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a specialized agency of the UN is important. The participation of certain NGOs in the work of the Air Navigation Commission (ANC) as one of the key bodies of ICAO is particularly important. The diversity among all considered NGOs is quite large in terms of membership, setting goals, and organizing work. However, regardless of the differences, there are also numerous similarities that unite them on many issues and enable them to act together. The work of NGOs to create industrial standards in civil aviation has led to changes in certain aviation regulations, and to the introduction of certain standards thanks to the expert work of NGOs. The interaction of NGOs with the work of the aviation industry is reflected in several segments through safety standards, counseling, the creation of instructions, the exploitation of equipment and devices, ergonomics, and more. Cooperation with official institutions can sometimes be through forms that are not formal, and the intertwining of activities between NGOs and trade unions as a broader category of non-state actors is neither rare nor unusual in civil aviation. Although the work of NGOs in civil aviation and the influence they have on decision-makers is often criticized, this work should not be underestimated or overestimated.

The radiation environment over the African continent at aviation altitudes: first results of the RPiRENA-based dosimeter

The radiation environment over the African continent, at aviation altitudes, remains mostly uncharacterized and unregulated. In this paper, we present initial measurements made by a newly developed active dosimeter onboard long-haul flights between South Africa and Germany. Based on these initial tests, we believe that this low-cost and open-source dosimeter is suitable for continued operation over the African continent and can provide valuable long-term measurements to test dosimetric models and inform aviation policy.

In Flight Emergency Decision-making Process: Does Intuition Matter?

Objective. This research aimed to describe the origins and contributions of pilot intuition in the decision-making process and gain knowledge on the urgency and importance of pilot intuition in decision-making.Method. The qualitative methodology used by the researcher is presented along with the phenomenology approach. Three pilots participated in the subject research. In-depth interviews, observation, and data documentation were used to collect the data. The researcher used the triangulation technique (other researchers, methods, theories, and data resources) to affirm data quality and results.Result. The research result showed that the pilot's intuitive decisions to take necessary action are based on ‘unconscious thought’ at the beginning of decision-making. However, it develops a more cognitive process where a pilot has time-critical analysis to rationalize his intuitive yet best decision. Such a decision-making process leads to prompt spontaneous and automatic action in the event of emergencies where data and information needed are lacking.&#x0D; Intuitive decisions and involuntary action are closely associated with the experience and knowledge of pilots in aviation. In an intuitive decision-making process, when time is limited and information/data is adequate, an analysis process can help a pilot identify the problem pattern and help them evaluate possible ideal decisions. An analysis process cannot replace intuition which plays a crucial role in the decision-making process during an emergency.Conclusion. A pilot’s intuition plays a strategic role in decision-making because aviation conditions are dynamic,situational, and constantly changing. Pilot’s intuition can be developed by sharpening their awareness of active and evolving aviation situations (situational and safety awareness). In addition, pilots must build longer flying hours, attend training, and expand their knowledge of aviation policies and procedures.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Global commercial aviation policies in the context of the climate crisis and an analysis of these approaches from the perspective of Türkiye

The climate crisis is becoming more visible day by day and is affecting the ecological system more and more. However, despite such a visible threat and its severe effects, efforts at the national and international levels are far from tackling the climate crisis. Especially with its rapid growth and ever-increasing emission rates, the commercial aviation sector remains inadequate in combating the climate crisis. This study discusses the global and Turkish commercial aviation sectors’ struggles with the climate crisis. As a result, both international and domestic commercial aviation sectors follow an unrealistic attitude in the fight against the climate crisis, and there is still a long way to go.