The sustainable future of passenger air transport
The future of transport is connected, digital and sustainable whether by road, rail, air or sea. The main infrastructures and companies in the sector have already accepted the challenge of the future (which perhaps we could already define as the present). To name two strategies, we can refer to the railways' objective of reducing CO2 emissions by 90% within the next 30 years; or that of airports to eliminate emissions by 2050. These are certainly important challenges, but which the available technology is already ready to support. For example, airline operators have long invested in IT solutions aimed at optimizing fuel consumption during flights. Research promoted by Sita has highlighted how 56% of airlines will develop new technologies to reduce carbon production in the coming years; 32% expect to achieve this goal by 2024.
But it's not enough. In order to talk about a sustainable future also in the world of transport, it is necessary that the services for accessing means of transport are also rapid and efficient. The transport of the future will be connected and intermodal. Booking and purchasing systems will be increasingly integrated, therefore digital. According to data collected and processed by the EESC, the European Economic and Social Committee, passengers who rely on technological solutions tend to be more satisfied, regardless of the means chosen.
The future of the airline sector for more sustainable flights
Aircraft are among the main culprits of harmful gas emissions: approximately 70% of the gases emitted during a route are made up of carbon dioxide. Yet air traffic is irreplaceable with other means of transport for a good part of the routes; especially if we think of a target business that moves out of necessity and with rather tight deadlines. Although in the European Union air transport generates only 4% of overall emissions, this is an upward trend over the last thirty years, especially following the rise of low cost airlines. Today, however, things are changing, especially following the spread of a new sensitivity linked to environmental impact. The same companies, also in the wake of the pandemic, today first evaluate whether a trip is really necessary and secondly consider whether it is possible to opt for a train or a ferry.
The commitments from the airlines, as already anticipated, were not late. The players in the sector have indeed decided to exploit the recovery for a real rebirth. Carbon offsetting is a commitment made by several airlines to offset their overall harmful emissions with environmentally constructive actions, such as investing in large-scale reforestation projects.
Sustainable air mobility rhymes with a digital travel experience
But sustainability does not just involve environmental protection. Streamlining passenger-side procedures is also part of the framework for a smart future. Ensuring safe and touchless flows, from booking to baggage collection, is essential to meet the travel expectations of consumers in 2022. A mobile-first experience today is indispensable, considering that passengers are first and foremost users who for work, leisure and of necessity they are always connected. Through software and digital tools, airlines and airports can easily manage operations such as check-in and printing of baggage labels, thus offering passengers a comfortable, safe and touchless experience. According to an Air Transport IT Insights 2021 survey, 84% of airlines and 81% of airports this year have foreseen the same budget for investments in technology compared to last year which, in addition to a refinement in the mechanisms of automation, provides for an advancement in biometrics to speed up the stages of the journey.
On the other hand, to close the circle, we can underline how the optimization and digitalisation of processes indirectly contribute to environmental protection. In fact, transferring a large part of the procedures online or in the form of virtual documents allows you to substantially reduce the use of paper.
Alma Travel for increasingly digital and sustainable business travel
Alma Travel , pioneers of business travel since 1972, fits perfectly into this universe of digital conversion. The quality of services today cannot in fact ignore the introduction of online tools that allow companies to streamline the processes linked to the organization of trips and their reporting. Our commitment is equally aimed at companies, the environment and social issues, as demonstrated by the certifications we can boast: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015. We are the only agency in Italy with an ESG certification (Rating A+) so we represent the ideal partner for those companies that are looking for a sustainable supplier.
With Alma Travel it is possible to count on the latest generation Self Booking Tool, on direct integration with airline sites to have the best guaranteed rate (NDC) and on simple and functional mobile apps to proceed with the organizational phases of any company trip, from the purchase of a travel ticket, to the booking of the structure and the reporting at the end of the trip. The solutions made available by Alma Travel are also "measurable", that is, they allow automatic control of rates and proposals. Furthermore, the solutions we propose aim to ensure that companies have overall and at the same time targeted control of corporate spending and savings objectives. Our consultancy method involves a tailor-made design approach that includes:
- implementation of technological tools for travel management;
- drafting of travel policies;
- support in internal communication.
But one of the initiatives that make us most proud, in step with the times and in tune with the needs of companies, is the support in drawing up an environmental balance sheet. In fact, we provide detailed reports on CO2 emissions based on the choice of means of transport for business trips and through an important agreement with the SIXT car rental company we offer our customers automatic compensation of emissions derived from car rentals; another small step towards a more sustainable world.