Madam, - Prof William Reville's misses the fact that the aviation industry has made great strides in limiting its environmental impact ("Persuading ourselves that it's not too late to save the planet", Science Today, September 13th).
Efficiencies in aircraft design and materials, air traffic management and airport installations can help achieve a sustainable future for aviation - one of balance between aviation growth to meet the needs of society and environmental responsibility.
Over the past 10 years, fleet renewal and progress on infrastructure and operations have improved fuel efficiency by 20 per cent. New technology coming on stream will lead to at least a further 25 per cent improvement by 2020.
Today the industry is investing in the latest and most efficient aircraft technology; decreasing the weight of planes and saving fuel; and developing new operational procedures on the ground. Airports, including those in Ireland, are doing what they can to reduce their footprint on the environment in many and varied ways. These measures are not headline-grabbers, but they show the industry's steady commitment to reduce emissions. The important point is that we can grow, but we want to ensure that we grow responsibly.
More information on what the industry is doing can be found at www.enviro.aero. We agree that it is up to all of us - corporations, governments and individuals - to take positive action. To focus narrowly on aviation, however, only dilutes our ability to address the wider issue meaningfully. - Yours, etc,
ROBERT J AARONSON,
Director General,
Airports Council International,
Geneva,
Switzerland.