“Climate protection in aviation can only be achieved sustainably and efficiently if the industry, economy, and politics work together constructively. In addition, measures must be coordinated and implemented at an international level.”

This was emphasised by Michael Hoppe, secretary general of the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG), at this year’s air cargo industry meeting, which was held as a virtual event at Cologne Bonn Airport at the invitation of the German Air Transport Association (BDL), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), and the German Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association (DSLV).

The reason therefore is that, only recently, several politicians called for unilateral measures that would, however, lead to massive distortions of competition. Accordingly, the German economy, and the environment as well, were to suffer.

Hence, instead of working with bans or fiscal adjustments, BARIG and the aviation industry rather advocate constructive, goal-oriented solutions to protect the climate. These include emissions trading, among other things. In addition, technical innovations and further developments in the field of alternative fuels are also required. 

Moreover, intermodality must be further developed as well. Only recently, the aviation industry pledged its support for shifting passenger traffic to rail wherever it is possible and makes sense. However, numerous other investments urgently need to follow here to achieve this, including, for example, the expansion of existing routes and the construction of new ones, as well as the connection of the airports in Munich and other cities to the high-speed rail network.

Hoppe: “Air traffic and climate protection are by no means mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the aviation industry appears as a partner for a shared, sustainable future. It is a driver of economic prosperity and, thus, helps to finance the basic prerequisite for investments and further research in nature, climate, and environmental protection.”