ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FACING THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The aviation industry plays a crucial role in global mobility and economic development, yet it is one of the fastest‐growing sources of environmental impact. This paper examines the primary environmental challenges facing the aviation sector, including greenhouse gas emissions (particularly CO₂ and non‑CO₂), contrail formation and radiative forcing, noise pollution, fuel consumption, and the sustainability of alternative fuels. Technological solutions—such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen propulsion, electric/hybrid aircraft, and design optimizations—are evaluated alongside regulatory and policy instruments aimed at achieving net‑zero emissions by 2050. Case studies assess the barriers to wide scale adoption of SAF, including cost, feedstock supply, and infrastructural requirements. Analytical frameworks such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are used to quantify impacts and identify knowledge gaps, particularly in non‑CO₂ effects and noise. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating cleaner technologies, improving regulatory consistency, increasing investment in research and infrastructure, and enhancing data transparency. By highlighting these challenges and proposed pathways, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on making aviation more sustainable while balancing growth in demand.