Gulf Air CEO and Chairman of the 2011 World Economic Forum Community for Aviation, Travel and Tourism, Mr. Samer Majali returned today from the World Economic Forum in Africa, where he attended key panel sessions on aviation, tourism and logistics industries. Mr. Majali was a member of the panel that released a white paper on the Policies and Collaborative Partnership for Sustainable Aviation. The report sets out a clear agenda for the aviation industry to reach the ambitious goals it has aspired to, i.e., achieving carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards and 50% net carbon reduction by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.

Mr. Majali commented, "The aviation industry is a pioneer in its commitment to decarbonize the industry and has been working on several initiatives in recent years; that commitment received a boost with the release of the white paper that contains a well-pronounced framework for further action. Through offering fiscal and other incentives to those who most actively invest and implement in the emission reduction value chain, the industry might be able to achieve the IATA’s goal even before the target date.” 

The report has identified four key lead-areas to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry: increasing aircraft R&D, improving aviation infrastructure, implementing market-based measures and accelerating scale-up of aviation bio-fuels.

Commenting on these areas in relation to Gulf Air, Mr. Majali added, “We have been engaged in a proactive re-fleeting strategy, with the purpose of operating cleaner and more efficient aircraft, which will in turn, reduce our operating costs and contribute to a positive triple bottom line. We have chosen the most fuel efficient options to power our new fleet. Our new A320 Airbus aircraft are powered by CFM56-5B engines reducing emissions by 200 tons per aircraft per year.  The new A330 aircraft will be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, which will reduce fuel burn by 1.3% saving an average of 800 tons in CO2 emissions per aircraft per year.” 

“Airport infrastructure is another major area; as the largest user and key stakeholder in Bahrain International Airport we have been engaged in planning discussions of the airport’s expansion plans. In terms of market-based measures we are on schedule in 2011 to offer our passengers an emissions offsetting scheme.”

“Gulf Air is also working with the sustainable aviation fuel users group on commercialization, certification, and provision of a viable market in order to accelerate the development of alternative fuels.  The group is made up of airlines, aircraft manufacturers, research institutions and NGOs all committed to using biofuels when it is proven to be completely sustainable.  Members of the group include Air New Zealand, Boeing, Yale University, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),” he concluded.

The report is the culmination of a year of collaboration among leaders in the aviation, energy and financial services industries, governments, universities and international organizations with the analysis and support of Booz & Company.

Mr. Majali also took part in two other panel sessions; ‘Aviation, Travel & Tourism Automotive and Logistics & Supply Chain Industry Partnership – Sustainable Transportation Ecosystem’ and ‘Travel and Tourism - Time for Take-off in Africa.’ The first panel, made-up up of eight transportation industry professionals including Carlos Ghosen – Chief Executive Officer of Renault-Nissan, Siim Kallas - EU Commissioner for Transportation and Christopher Franz – Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Lufthansa, deliberated on the key factors affecting the development of a sustainable transportation sector. The latter panel made of six stalwarts from the aviation and tourism industry including Giovanni Bisignani – Chief Executive Officer and Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and David Scowsill – President and Chief Executive officer, World Travel and Tourism Council (ETTC) discussed ways to unleash the travel and tourism sector in Africa.