By Pratap John

Abdul Wahab Teffaha, right, presenting a memento to al-Noaimi during the opening session of the aviation summit at the Sharq Village yesterday. PICTURE: Sami Althalathini

Arab aviation is the ‘friendliest to environment’ because of its new fleet and push to alternative energy methods, Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) secretary-general Abdul Wahab Teffaha has said.
Teffaha complimented Qatari national carrier Qatar Airways for its pioneering initiative on GTL fuel and said, “When others are speaking about alternative energy methods, Qatar Airways is actually doing it.”
Recently, a Qatar Airways aircraft made history when it completed the world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by a fuel made from natural gas. The historic journey from London Gatwick to Doha took over six hours and was operated with an Airbus A340-600 aircraft using Rolls-Royce Trent 556
engines.
The fuel burns with lower sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions than pure conventional oil-based kerosene, making it attractive for improving local air quality at busy airports.
Teffaha said the aviation industry had the ‘smallest negative’ impact on the environment vis-à-vis other transportation modes. It is also true the aviation industry has made tremendous achievements in terms of reducing that impact regardless of whether the intention was cost saving or pro-environment. In spite of this unblemished record the industry needs to play a positive role.
“Commotion in the aviation circles about the environment would not have happened, were it not for the EU’s drive towards the inclusion of aviation in their emission trading schemes. Although AACO is complying with ETS, even as it objects to its unilateral development and application, we understand that aviation does not have the luxury of debating endlessly what should be the shape of our contribution to the betterment of the environment,” Teffaha said.
Teffaha also lauded Qatar Civil Aviation Authority for taking the initiative for the first summit on aviation and environment and said it would help create more awareness on emission requirements in the industry.
He presented a memento to Civil Aviation Authority chairman Abdul Aziz al-Noaimi for hosting ‘Sky Blue’ – the Arab Aviation Summit.