Making air journey greener may depend upon nuclear reactors being put in round Australia’s shoreline and trillions of {dollars} in funding, in line with an aviation business heavyweight.
Emirates president Sir Tim Clark sounded the warning on his first journey to Australia in two years, simply days earlier than the corporate was attributable to launch a brand new take a look at of extra environmentally pleasant gas.
But the airline veteran mentioned engine expertise had began to emerge that might assist the business reduce its emissions, alongside advances that might make passengers’ airport experiences extra seamless.
Airlines around the globe, together with Qantas, Virgin and Emirates, have dedicated to creating air journey carbon impartial by 2050, consistent with Paris Agreement targets.
But Sir Tim mentioned it was nonetheless unclear how the businesses would obtain this purpose as sustainable aviation gas had not delivered “dramatic” emission reductions and was not being produced at a scale to assist all the market.
“I honestly believe that if we are going to find an alternative source of fuel it has to be based on green hydrogen and synthetic fuels,” he mentioned.
“Modular nuclear reactors around the coastlines of Australia or the United Kingdom would give you the power to drive the processes that allow you to extract green hydrogen.
“Everybody says nice thought however do not put one close to me. The shoreline of Australia is massive and it isn’t effectively populated. Perfect.”
Sir Tim admitted the suggestion may not be well received by environmental groups but said the industry ultimately had to find a way to cut fuel emissions to avoid catastrophic environmental outcomes.
Earlier this week, Emirates ran ground tests using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel on a Boeing-777 engine, and a test flight is due within days.
The fuel, which is already being used on some flights, uses waste such as cooking oil, fats, crops and agricultural residues.
Additional fossil fuel cuts could come from new plane designs that were starting to emerge, he said, including Rolls Royce’s UltraFan engines that went into testing in December.
Other advances in air travel could hit airports within the next five years, Sir Tim said, with biometric technology eventually used to scan passengers’ faces, check their profiles, and let them avoid traditional security scans.
“Right the best way by to the boarding gate, there will be no paper, there will be no central search — luggage, purses, every little thing out — as a result of the machines themselves will have a look at what you are carrying,” he mentioned.
“And they’re going to know you as a result of (synthetic intelligence) will retailer you and (know) you do not often journey with half a tonne of cocaine in your purse.”
The Emirates chief, who has presided over the company since 2003, also predicted the price of air travel could start to return to pre-pandemic levels, along with the number of flights, but only when inflation figures stabilised around the world.
The creator travelled to Melbourne as a visitor of Emirates.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
