IATA and shortening routes

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents some 230 of the world’s airlines and 93% of international scheduled air traffic.
 

Did you know?

• Unlike most other forms of transport, when you fly you normally take the most direct route between two points. 
• Unfortunately, planes are not always allowed to do this. They are often forced to “zigzag” due to restrictions in airspace imposed by governments and regulators.
• However, shortening routes can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. In fact, every minute of flying time knocked off a journey saves 62 litres of fuel and 160kg of CO₂ emissions. And everyone arrives sooner!

What are we doing?

• In 2007, IATA shortened more than 395 air routes.
• For example, the “IATA-1” route saves 30 minutes on each Europe – China round trip. In one year this saves 2,860 hours of flight time and 27,000 tonnes of fuel, eliminating 84,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

What is the result?

• 3.8 million tonnes of CO₂ were saved in 2007 by shortening routes.  In 2006, IATA saved 6 million tonnes of CO₂ by shortening routes.
• IATA is continuing to shorten air routes. In 2008 we are working with governments to shorten more routes and further limit CO₂ emissions. 
• This, along with our efforts to increase fuel efficiency and improve air traffic control, is helping to limit our contribution to climate change.