Dip in Flight Activity Cut CO2 Emissions By 70 Percent in Europe | Aviation International News

Sustainability and Environment

Dip in Flight Activity Cut CO2 Emissions By 70 Percent in Europe

Data gathered from Spire's satellites showed a 43 percent reduction in flights, resulting in a cut in carbon dioxide emissions of just over 70 percent.

Spire Aviation has calculated how much carbon emissions dropped as a result of reduced flight activity by comparing traffic in Western Europe on January 5, 2020, and April 25, 2020. [Graphic: Spire Aviation]

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

August 3, 2020

Analysis of aircraft traffic data in Western Europe has revealed the dramatic reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the height of the Covid-19 travel restrictions. Looking at air traffic data powered by satellites, Spire Aviation has shown how a drop of more than 70 percent in carbon emissions resulted from a 43 percent decline in the number of aircraft in use.

On Jan. 5, 2020, Spire recorded 8,730 aircraft flying in Western Europe and calculated that they had emitted 700 million kg (1.5 billion pounds) of CO2. This was based on average fuel consumption for each aircraft type, average utilization of 10 flight hours per day, an average distance per flight of 1,000 nm, and around four separate flights for each aircraft. The study included all categories of aircraft, including airliners, private, government, and military.

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