Back to Air Transport IT Review - Issue 1, April 2009

Working together for the environment

The air transport industry has a collective interest in understanding the implications of environmental regulations and recommendations. More than that, as an industry we need to make sure their enforcement does not lead to competitive distortion. IT has a big role to play.

It was with this in mind that SITA last year proposed the creation of a Working Group for Environmental Regulations Implementation. Its members now represent 24 airlines and one regional airline association.

Cost and simplicity

The Group's objectives are threefold:

Reduce industry costs related to implementation of new national or regional environmental regulations. Share understanding, experience and know-how of environmental regulations.
Develop a coherent way to implement environmental regulatory matters across all stakeholders leading to operational and regulatory effectiveness.
Reduce verification cost and litigation frequency between airlines and regulators, ensuring competitive fairness among stakeholders.

In addition to assessing the operational impact and associated costs of environmental measures, the Group also aims to develop common terminology, processes, guidelines and good practices. It will act as a knowledge centre to support all aspects of environmental regulation implementation.

Research and tools

SITA has committed to an initial 2009 investment to fund studies and research activities. With the European Commission's announcement at the end of 2008 that EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) monitoring plans must be in place by 31 August 2009, particular focus has been agreed through to the end of 2010 on the ETS and emissions monitoring verification and reporting (MRV). In the meantime, SITA has offered a tool that will help Working Group Members evaluate the economic impact of the EU ETS.

For further details about the Group, contact Laure Gaboriaud.

Smart IT to reduce climate change impact

> Download SITA's new White Paper: 'The Air Transport Industry and the Environment' (806 Kb)

How will new environmental regulations affect the air transport industry?
What are the impacts of these regulations from an IT perspective?
And how can IT help airlines comply with new environmental regulations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

For airline CIOs and other IT professionals, SITA's latest White Paper describes new environmental regulations that will affect the industry. Smart IT will play a critical role in this new landscape - helping the industry with compliance as well as reducing its overall environmental impact.

In fact, IT's role will become increasingly important, with growing needs for:

Monitoring, reporting and verification
Auditing and traceability
Performance monitoring
Complex and collaborative decision making systems
Agility, adaptability and scalability

In prioritizing budgets and plans, how best can IT departments address both short- and long-term issues? What actions can CIOs take, with IT as a driver in addressing the environment? And what issues will drive IT?

For information, download 'The Air Transport Industry and the Environment' (806 Kb).

Don't forget the SITA / ATW environmental Webcast

A SITA / ATW Webcast "How IT can help airlines meet the environmental regulatory burden" is now available for download.

The Webcast addresses the impact of new environmental regulations on airlines' operations, with a focus on the EU ETS. It covers how IT systems can help airlines demonstrate their compliance and control environmental data - without suffering economically from this new burden.

The Webcast includes presentations from SITA and invited industry experts from the European Commission and EUROCONTROL.

> Access the Webcast