Fact Sheet

Getting the Green Light for Aviation

How FAA Initiatives Are Reducing Environmental Impacts

Since 1970, there has been more than a three-fold increase in passengers in the United States air transportation system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has supported this growth as part of its mission, while also fulfilling a responsibility to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment. As demand for passenger and cargo air transportation continues to rise in a more environmentally-sensitive 21^st century, the reduction of aviation’s environmental footprint becomes even more mission critical. The FAA is committed to making aviation more environmentally friendly in the future than today, notwithstanding the projected doubling of air passengers by 2025.  According to the Flight Plan, which sets the strategic directions and challenges for the FAA, the agency’s goal is to:

“Increase the safety and capacity of the global civil aerospace system in an environmentally sound manner.”

A Record of Action

• There has been more than a 90 percent reduction in the number of people impacted by significant aircraft noise in the United States since 1970.
• Aircraft today are 60 percent more fuel efficient than those that operated 30 years ago.
• The latest scientific work estimates aviation is responsible for about 2 percent of global carbon emissions annually.
• The US commercial aviation industry has improved its energy efficiency, moving 12 percent more people and 22 percent more freight than it did in 2000, while burning 4 percent less fuel and producing 8.4 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide.
• Noise and emissions standards for commercial aircraft are considerably stricter today than 30 years ago.
• Stage 2 commercial aircraft were phased out of operation in 2000, reducing the number of communities exposed to significant aircraft noise.
• Voluntary airport noise compatibility and airport low emissions programs, supported by airport improvement funding and passenger facility charges have been implemented to reduce significant noise exposure on communities near airports and ground emissions at commercial service airports in regions with air quality problems.

And The Future Is …

The FAA’s efforts to modernize the nation’s airspace system, known as NextGen (for Next Generation Air Transportation System), include at the core a number of key initiatives focused on aviation expansion and technological advances that are “green” in nature. For example, through use of Required Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technology, aircraft will be able to use descent procedures that burn less fuel and result in quieter operations. In addition, satellite-based air traffic control paired with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology on aircraft allow for safer but closer separations between aircraft and more direct routing – which will improve fuel efficiency and also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In essence, NextGen itself will improve environmental performance.   

The NextGen strategy is to enhance airspace efficiency with a full complement of sound aviation environmental efforts for noise, air quality, water quality, global climate, and energy. These efforts include research to address the challenges and solutions; development and fielding of new technologies and operational enhancements; exploration of alternative fuels; building on traditional aviation mitigation programs; policies to achieve more cost-effective near-term and long-term solutions, and partnerships nationally and internationally to accelerate implementation of beneficial programs. Examples of these efforts are:

• At a test program at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines’ use of NextGen-related procedures is reducing carbon dioxide emissions by levels equivalent to removing 15,000 cars from the road for a year.
• Testing at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport of continuous descent arrivals shows savings of 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide for each and every flight, and levels of noise from 3 to 6 decibels lower within 25 miles of the airport. 
• In partnership with airlines, airports, and manufacturers, FAA has launched CAAFI, the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative. CAAFI is leading efforts to develop alternative fuels to ensure an affordable and stable supply of environmentally progressive aviation fuels.
• The FAA has proposed to Congress to create the Continuous Low Emissions, Energy and Noise (CLEEN) program to develop and foster industry acceptance of new technologies that reduce environmental impacts. Also proposed is a permanent Airport Cooperative Research Program, with added funding for airport environmental concerns as well as a demonstration program to accelerate use of procedures and practices to reduce noise and emissions.
• Development of advanced aircraft de-icing and anti-icing technologies aims to reduce the environmental impact of airport operations on water quality.
• The FAA is developing procedures and decision support tools for reducing the environmental impact of aviation.  Simulations and field demonstrations will validate benefits and advance implementation. 
• The FAA and the European Union recently agreed to cooperate through the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE) to accelerate the development and use of environmentally friendly procedures to reduce emissions and noise.