The number of private jet flights in Europe increased by 64% last year and continues to grow, according to Greenpeace. Business aviation offers unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and privacy, allowing executives to travel directly to their desired destinations and enabling professionals to optimize their time and productivity while on the move.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, business aviation provided the opportunity to travel safely from point to point with fewer interactions with people. Therefore, during the pandemic, business jets helped MRO organizations to stay afloat. However, as times change, the question arises for environmentalists: How sustainable is business aviation? Will business aviation, which supported us during COVID-19, now decline? Reducing consumption for the sake of climate stability and emissions reduction has become a popular topic. In the fight against reducing carbon footprint, suggestions include reducing the number of car trips, minimizing water usage, lowering heating temperatures in homes, and using air travel less frequently.
Recently, protests have been calling for banning business aviation due to high carbon emissions, consumerism, and inefficient usage. This isn’t the first time the industry has come under fire, and it won’t be the last. However, without jumping to conclusions, it is important to note that private jets and luxury emissions are not currently regulated as such in the EU and excluded from key EU legislation that is supposed to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, according to Greenpeace. Also, business aviation is actively fostering environmental stewardship across the full value chain and is working towards meeting its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The industry has long supported technology to reduce engine emissions by applying new technologies, optimizing performance and flight range, and contributing to more efficient fuel burn. Moreover, business aviation has improved its carbon footprint by 40% over the past 40 years and business aviation’s global CO2 emissions are approx. 2% of all aviation and 0.04% of global, as EBAA says.
MRO companies take actions such as renewable energy purchases, solar panels, reusing materials, using more recycled water or an effluent treatment plant that treats all the water from their operations, electric vehicles, recycling, and teardowns. OEM’s facilities are also reducing energy with technologies like LED lighting. Additionally, doing simple things like opening the hangar doors to let air and light, turning off lights, and unplugging equipment not in use can also help. For hangar operations, electric tugs are increasingly being used to cut emissions related to repositioning aircraft. So, a lot of efforts to reduce water, emissions, energy, and waste are underway, with MROs working to improve sustainability.
Vytis Zalimas, CEO at JETMS, a global provider of integrated world-class aircraft solutions, claims, that the topic of sustainability in aviation has been a longstanding topic of discussion, and JETMS actively contributes to important projects. “One of the essentials of our sustainability efforts is the integration of LEAN principles throughout our operations. By streamlining processes and minimizing waste, we not only improve efficiency but also reduce our carbon footprint. We take recycling and teardown initiatives seriously. By recycling materials and components wherever possible, we reduce the burden on landfills and help to preserve valuable resources. Moreover, when designing and refurbishing aircraft interiors, we prioritize the use of sustainable materials. Our commitment to sustainable interior materials not only ensures passenger comfort and safety but also aligns with our mission of reducing the aviation industry’s impact on the planet.” – Vytis Zalimas, CEO.
In the autumn of 2023, the JETMS VNO hangar will undergo expansion. This strategic move will double the capacity of the current hangar, allowing it to sell approximately 100k MHRS per year. By doing so, it can serve a larger client base and offer more comprehensive maintenance solutions. These efforts further strengthen its position as a leading player in the aviation industry. Why should you choose JETMS? They boast a team of highly qualified experts, and the core team has remained unchanged for an extended period. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the quality of services. Choosing them means choosing a team of dedicated experts, stability, excellence, and an expanded capacity to meet your aircraft’s needs.
JETMS is excited about the upcoming expansion of VNO hangar and looks forward to providing clients with an unmatched level of service and care for their aircraft. They offer you not only expert aviation services but also to become a part of a journey towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future. Soon, their customers and partners will be able to contribute to a better and more resilient future by planting trees, so pay attention to updates. Together, we can soar towards a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow.