According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), today's global aircraft fleet is about 65% more fuel-efficient than it was in 1970. Between 1990 and 2000, fuel efficiency improved by 17%. Furthermore, the clean technology of modern aircraft engines has almost eliminated emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Given the growth in air travel and concerns about greenhouse gases and upper atmosphere pollution though, this clearly is not going to be enough, and IATA wants a carbon-free aircraft flying by 2050, writes Mark Rowe.
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