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Aircraft speed and fuel usage: Empirical estimates with an exploration of environmental speed limits

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  • Brueckner, Jan K.
  • Abreu, Chrystyane

Abstract

This paper uses a Brazilian dataset to estimate the relationship between fuel usage and speed for jet passenger aircraft. This exercise appears to be unique, with prior evidence on the fuel-speed relationship coming entirely from engineering models. The regressions generate U-shaped fuel-speed curves like those from the engineering approach, focusing on groups of narrow-body aircraft types (NEO vs. pre-NEO), rather than individual aircraft models. The empirical estimates are used to evaluate the desirability of environmental aircraft speed limits, which would force planes to fly at a speed that minimizes fuel usage, thereby reducing carbon emissions but imposing longer flight times on passengers.

Suggested Citation

  • Brueckner, Jan K. & Abreu, Chrystyane, 2025. "Aircraft speed and fuel usage: Empirical estimates with an exploration of environmental speed limits," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:114:y:2025:i:c:s0739885925001386
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101655
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    References listed on IDEAS

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