Air New Zealand is the first major airline to abandon its climate commitment.

Image by Holger Detje from Pixabay

 Air New Zealand has given up on reducing its carbon emissions by the year 2030, citing challenges in obtaining more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel.

It is now the first significant carrier to retreat from a climate target of this kind.

 
The airline also stated that it is dedicated to the industry-wide objective of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and is now developing a new short-term target.

 
Airlines have been attempting to lower their carbon dioxide emissions, which are estimated to account for 2% of world emissions, by replacing outdated aircraft and utilizing fuel derived from renewable sources.

Greg Foran, the CEO of Air New Zealand, stated in the statement, "It has also become apparent in recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to the target's achievability."

 
Air New Zealand set a 2030 goal to reduce its emissions by about 29% in 2022.
Compared to the worldwide aviation industry's 5% reduction target for the same period, it was far more aggressive.

 
Airlines have had difficulty acquiring adequate Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), despite the fact that SAF is a crucial component of the industry's plan to reduce emissions.

Ellis Taylor of the aviation analytics company Cirium stated, "The price of [SAF] is more expensive than traditional fuels, and there is not enough capacity to produce that at scale."

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that "net zero 2050 and airlines are not cutting back on the pledge" was the industry's goal for emissions reduction.

Although this goal was attainable, it was noted that "we are also reliant on the right supportive measures from governments".

"We need scale up of all solutions including SAF production as well as emerging technological solutions including the use of hydrogen and carbon removals."

 
According to Mr. Taylor, delays in the delivery of new aircraft were also having an impact on airlines, "with both Boeing and Airbus under-delivering new jets over the last few years, largely due to snags in the wider supply chains of the manufacturers".

The massive aerospace company Boeing has encountered some significant problems lately.

After the US determined that Boeing had broken an agreement intended to reform it following two catastrophic crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft that claimed the lives of 346 passengers and crew, the corporation entered a guilty plea to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge this month.

The company has also come under more scrutiny following the forced landing of an Alaska Airlines Boeing after a door panel burst shortly after takeoff.