Atkins’ masterplan for Xian Xianyang international airport.
the extended airport will be the gateway to central China and increase
the current capacity of 7.5 million passengers annually to 48 million in 2035.
CrowdEd skiEs: aCCORding tO estiMates, by 2020 tHe aiRline industRy Will faCe a CaPaCity sHORtfall Of One billiOn PassengeRs.
dedicated to studying the environmental greenhouse emissions, which give the industry can carry lots of it.” it’s an issue that is currently a definitive answer, significant steps are being
impacts of aviation from a technological, a very bad press,” he says. aviation contributes challenging the brightest minds in the industry, taken. Virgin atlantic recently flew one of its
scientific and economic perspective, and to 1.7 per cent of global CO including those at atkins. “there’s no viable 747s from london to amsterdam with a 25
34
2
emissions and has
develop strategies to reduce the environmental been in the firing line. alternative to airline fuel at the moment, so it per cent biofuel mix of coconut and babassu
impacts and business risk. but, according to kirk, environmental remains a massive challenge for the industry oil in one of its four main fuel tanks, and airbus
“We’re trying to fill knowledge gaps and issues are now firmly at the top of the aviation over the next few decades,” says kirk. exhibited its fuel cell demonstrator aircraft at
stimulate new ways of thinking,” gardner industry’s agenda. “the a380, for example, While the industry may not have arrived at this year’s berlin airshow. trials like these serve
explains. “if the industry is pursuing anti- is 17 per cent more fuel efficient than a to highlight the need to move from kerosene
environmental practices through competitive comparable aircraft, and the next generation to cleaner (not to say cheaper) alternatives.
convention, then we have to highlight the after that will be even more so,” he says. One potential alternative is use of “second-
flaws in the business model and explore Work that atkins is currently engaged with generation” biofuels, which are made
greener practices.” Omega is, for example, includes developing stronger composites, from plant waste or algae, and therefore
working with the industry to examine barriers essentially plastics, as part of the uk’s carry far fewer food crop issues. airbus
to introducing new technologies, and looking biggest composite development recently launched research into second-
at the environmental implications of different programme. “using lighter composite generation biofuels and the first flight
business models – everything from route materials to manufacture aircraft to trial a mix of algae fuel is due later
management to the size of planes. will make a huge difference to fuel this year by a new Zealand 747.
“Why would an airline offer to fly us from efficiency and emissions,” explains biofuel by itself isn’t the answer.
london to new york, via Paris?” asks gardner. kirk. in fact, experts predict composites the implications of turning over land
“it doesn’t make any sense other than that it could deliver a 20 per cent better used for subsistence farming to grow
costs less. and that’s flawed, because it is strength-to-weight ratio than metal. energy crops are rife with difficulty. but
fuel inefficient.” raising the issue for debate demonstrates
the aircraft manufacturers, naturally, have The burning issue the willingness in the aviation industry to
a huge role to play. as head of aerospace at it doesn’t stop there. kirk believes that, engage in finding solutions.
atkins, neil kirk has worked with client Rolls- alongside innovations in noise reduction and
Royce to develop engines for the new airbus improvements in aircraft efficiency, the industry Taking flight
a380 super jumbo and supported design on must confront another major challenge a note of caution, though. as gardner says,
the aircraft itself. the industry, says kirk, is – dependence on oil.
photovoltaic cells can be used on the large roof
the ever-present issue of safety can act as a drag
spaces of terminal and other airport buildings,
facing up to its responsibilities to local residents “the problem is the fuel used in aircraft is
something that is becoming increasingly popular
on innovation as the industry weighs up the
and to the environment. “the biggest issue is extremely efficient,” says kirk. it’s light and you as a way to reduce energy use. acceptability of new technologies.
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