{"id":12121,"date":"2016-11-04T16:46:54","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T20:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/climate-change-and-delta-airlines-a-two-way-street-at-35000-feet\/"},"modified":"2016-11-07T22:58:17","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T03:58:17","slug":"climate-change-and-delta-airlines-a-two-way-street-at-35000-feet","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/climate-change-and-delta-airlines-a-two-way-street-at-35000-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Change and Delta Airlines: a two-way street at 35,000 feet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cDelta flies more than 5,000 flights a day around the globe. Jet fuel accounts for more than 98 percent of our carbon footprint. That\u2019s why we are \u2026 implementing measures to be a more carbon-conscious company in the air and on the ground.\u201d
\n<\/em>— Delta CEO Ed Bastian[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

Climate change\u2019s effects\u00a0are undeniable: unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere cause higher temperatures and rising sea levels, lead to more instances of severe weather, and alter the jet stream. While the 7.1 billion people living on earth absorb climate changes\u2019 insidious effects subtly, Delta Airlines staff and passengers experience its consequences daily.<\/p>\n

There is an irony to climate change\u2019s impact on the transportation industry. Few industries have played a more direct role in releasing carbon into the atmosphere. While passenger cars are the leading source, emissions from commercial aircraft represent 3% of total GHG.[2]<\/a> Historically, society bore the cost of jet\u00a0fuel emissions. However, the societal cost of these emissions now has a name, global warming, which has introduced significant costs to Delta Airlines and threats to its operating model.<\/p>\n

Round Trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

A jet stream is a fast-moving air current that occurs at an airplane\u2019s cruising altitude.[3]<\/a> On east-bound flights, jet streams help planes operate more efficiently. Conversely, west-bound flights fight against jet streams, requiring more fuel and time.<\/p>\n

Scientists believe that elevated CO2<\/sub> levels amplify jet stream effects.[4]<\/a> Unfortunately, faster east-bound flights do not net out the longer time now required for west-bound flights. Meteorologist Paul Williams estimated that transatlantic routes will yield in an extra 2,000 hours of airborne time per year, representing 7.2 million gallons of jet fuel, an additional 70 million kilograms of CO2<\/sub>,[5]<\/a> and $22 million cost increase. While Delta has taken advantage of recent low fuel prices, longer flight time per mile will impact Delta\u2019s operating income as fuel prices rationalize.<\/p>\n

Fasten Seatbelt sign is here to stay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clouds are visual cues of turbulence.[6]<\/a> Using radar, or the naked eye, pilots can anticipate turbulence and prepare accordingly. But not all turbulence is created equally. Increasingly aircraft encounter clear-air turbulence (CAT), an invisible \u201cwind shear\u201d resulting from pockets of diverse air mixing together.[7]<\/a> A side effect of stronger jet streams, CAT are undetectable to radar.[8]<\/a> Williams forecasts that within 40 years turbulence intensity\u00a0will increase by 10-40 percent due to double CO2<\/sub> in the atmosphere.[9]<\/a> CAT is more than an uncomfortable ride \u2013 it\u2019s $128 million in turbulence repair costs.[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

Realigning Incentives<\/strong><\/p>\n

To Delta, sustainability means \u201cmeeting the company\u2019s financial goals of growth and profitability over time, through business practices that minimize the environmental impacts of Delta operations\u2026.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n

Delta\u2019s modest actions have led to moderate improvements[12]<\/a> in sustainability. Profits, however, continue to rise despite increased operating expenses from challenges caused by climate change. While achieving significant reduction from 2005 \u2013 2013, Delta\u2019s emissions have increased steadily in the years since.[13]<\/a> Rather than methods to reduce emissions permanently, purchased carbon offsets make up an increasing share of Delta\u2019s carbon neutrality metric.[14]<\/a><\/p>\n

Path Forward<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta must tackle the cause and effects of climate change by making robust investments in technology that improve operations in response to climate change\u2019s effects and reduce its carbon footprint. Despite upfront investment, these technologies can be NPV positive. For example, \u201cDemonstration of LIDAR based Clear Air Turbulence\u201d uses lasers to measure air density and detect CAT. Rather than pilots reporting CAT retroactively,[15]<\/a> DELICAT enables pilots to detect and avoid CAT, just as traditional radar helps pilots avoid visible turbulence. Currently, DELICAT is in proof-of-concept phase;[16]<\/a> Delta\u2019s investment could expedite DELICAT\u2019s deployment, saving millions of dollars in annual turbulence repair costs.<\/p>\n

Delta made a modest $3 million contribution to the Georgia Tech Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility to incubate student research and support the airline\u2019s continued innovation.[17]<\/a> Increasing Delta\u2019s investment and refocusing the partnership to support sustainable solutions for biofuel alternatives,[18]<\/a> routing efficiencies, and fuel per seat mile metrics could\u00a0help Delta operations meet and mitigate the demands of climate change.<\/p>\n

Voting with their seats<\/strong><\/p>\n

By investing in new and clean technology available today, Delta can define the future of clean air travel. The increasing prevalence of eco-conscious passengers would surely reward their investment.[19]<\/a><\/p>\n

Word count: 690<\/p>\n

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[1]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 17<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> http:\/\/www.intellicast.com\/National\/Wind\/JetStream.aspx<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/news\/climate-change-to-increase-turbulence-flight-times-and-costs\/<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> http:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/11\/2\/024008\/pdf<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/news\/Planes-set-for-bumpier-rides-scientists-warn\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> http:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/flight\/news\/a21384\/turbulence-flight-280-extreme-clear-air\/<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/news\/Planes-set-for-bumpier-rides-scientists-warn\/<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/news\/Planes-set-for-bumpier-rides-scientists-warn\/<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/news\/Planes-set-for-bumpier-rides-scientists-warn\/<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/www\/en_US\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility.html<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Adhering to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) framework, Delta reports on its progress towards industry-wide goals for absolute emissions reductions: Fuel efficiency improvement of 1.5% per year 2009 \u2013 2020; Carbon-neutral growth starting after 2020; and 50% reduction of the world air transport\u2019s carbon footprint by 2050. http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 17<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 21<\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 21<\/p>\n

[15]<\/a> http:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/flight\/news\/a21384\/turbulence-flight-280-extreme-clear-air\/<\/p>\n

[16]<\/a> http:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/flight\/news\/a21384\/turbulence-flight-280-extreme-clear-air\/<\/p>\n

[17]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 16<\/p>\n

[18]<\/a> http:\/\/www.delta.com\/content\/dam\/delta-www\/about-delta\/corporate-responsibility\/2015DeltaAirLines_CorporateResponsibilityReport.pdf<\/a>, page 17<\/p>\n

[19]<\/a> \u201cClimate Change in 2016: Implications for Business,\u201d 性视界 Business School, Rev. October 14, 2016<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While the 7.1 billion people living on earth absorb climate changes\u2019 insidious effects subtly, Delta Airlines staff and passengers experience its consequences daily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2490,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[],"class_list":["post-12121","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","hentry"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/climate-change-challenge-2016\/","yoast_head":"\nClimate Change and Delta Airlines: a two-way street at 35,000 feet - Technology and Operations Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/climate-change-and-delta-airlines-a-two-way-street-at-35000-feet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Climate Change and Delta Airlines: a two-way street at 35,000 feet - 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