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The development of new rules for supersonic flight might have a negative impact on the sector’s sustainability efforts. This was declared by a number of analysts to the Archyde.com news agency following new discussions on the subject within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Experts warn that moves to set new noise guidelines for supersonic aviation by the middle of the decade might weaken the industry’s efforts to tackle climate change.
“In doing so, the issue might lead to disagreements between the United States and some European countries,” they argue.
Concorde
The Franco-British supersonic Concorde made its last flight almost two decades ago. “A group of United Nations aviation experts wants to update the noise standards for supersonic aircraft, which have been in place for several decades, by the middle of this decade,” Archyde.com notes.
“Among others, the American company Boom supported these plans. Boom aims to build a supersonic aircraft that would be less polluting and less noisy than the Concorde, which carried wealthy passengers and celebrities across the Atlantic.
Despite its past with the Concorde, France has instead set itself the objective of postponing the new procedures for deploying future supersonic aircraft. France is supported in this process by Norway and Sweden. The three countries note that the industry should focus on implementing emission rules for normal flights as a priority.
Directives
The International Civil Aviation Organization is responsible for issuing aviation regulations. “Aircraft manufacturers need these standards well in advance to ensure they meet official expectations,” said Dan Carnelly, vice president of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations.
“No manufacturer can risk investing billions of dollars to design and test a new product without having the guarantee that this technology will not risk being banned soon following its launch. »
“The discussion is critical for a niche market that might potentially create thousands of aviation jobs,” Archyde.com notes. Boom plans to build a factory in North Carolina and has already received orders from United Airlines.
But critics warn that focusing on this issue would currently take up time and expertise that would be better used to reduce industry emissions. Mr Carnelly cautions, however, that a lack of regulation at an early stage might lead to a patchwork of patchwork local regulations.