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Risks, resilience, and pathways to sustainable aviation: A COVID-19 perspective

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  • Gössling, Stefan

Abstract

This paper discusses the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to reconsider the foundations of the global aviation system. There is much evidence that air transport creates opportunities as well as risks. While the former accrue to businesses and individuals, risks are imposed on society. Pandemics, in which aviation has a role as a vector of pathogen distribution, as well as the sector's contribution to climate change are examples of long-standing negative externalities that continue to be ignored in assessments of aviation's economic performance and societal importance. As commercial aviation has shown limited economic resilience throughout its history, this short paper questions whether a return to business-as-usual, supported by very significant State aid payments, is desirable. The volume growth model championed by industry and aviation proponents may have to be replaced with an alternative model of a slimmed air transport system that is economically less vulnerable and accounting for its environmental impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Gössling, Stefan, 2020. "Risks, resilience, and pathways to sustainable aviation: A COVID-19 perspective," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:89:y:2020:i:c:s0969699720305160
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101933
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gössling, Stefan & Hanna, Paul & Higham, James & Cohen, Scott & Hopkins, Debbie, 2019. "Can we fly less? Evaluating the ‘necessity’ of air travel," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
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    3. Scheelhaase, Janina & Maertens, Sven & Grimme, Wolfgang & Jung, Martin, 2018. "EU ETS versus CORSIA – A critical assessment of two approaches to limit air transport's CO2 emissions by market-based measures," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 55-62.
    4. Banister, David & Hickman, Robin, 2013. "Transport futures: Thinking the unthinkable," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 283-293.
    5. Sven Maertens & Wolfgang Grimme & Janina Scheelhaase & Martin Jung, 2019. "Options to Continue the EU ETS for Aviation in a CORSIA-World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-19, October.
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