Qatar Airways Talks Sustainability Before The Event Opens

Over 40 airline CEOs and more than 350 transport leaders are expected to attend the World Route Development Strategy Summit in Abu Dhabi at the end of the week. The attendees represent the leadership of governments, industry associations, airports, and stakeholders from across the aviation spectrum.

One of the event's speakers has given a preview of his views on the future challenges facing the industry. In a pre-summit interview, Captain Chris Schroeder, Qatar Airways' head of CSR, environment and fuel projects, expressed his thoughts on how environmental issues and the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape surrounding them will impact his airline.

"Environmental issues are high on the agenda, with the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a growing patchwork of ETS's around the world, the evolving role of ICAO and the much anticipated global framework as an outcome of the forthcoming ICAO General Assembly in 2013," Schroeder said. "Will aviation have to pay even more due to added taxes for emissions other than CO2? What is the impact on airfares?"

Qatar Airways says it has grand ambitions - not only to add more routes and carry more passengers and cargo, something at which it is already succeeding. The airline plans to play a leading role in shaping the future of sustainability within aviation, which is one of Captain Schroeder's main responsibilities. "We are at the forefront of the development of alternative fuels. Our national bio jet fuel R&D project will be delivering results in the next few years. The New Doha International Airport will be supplied exclusively with Gas-to-Liquid Blend Jet Fuel.

"The Summit provides a unique platform to discuss all pressing issues aviation is faced with and will be faced with. Regional as well as international issues can be addressed among a group of caliber aviation professionals and government representatives," he continued.

FMI: www.worldroutedevelopmentsummit.com