ABSTRACT
The emissions of aircraft engines are similar in nature to other fossil fuel combustion emissions. The only difference between them is that aircraft emissions are released in high altitude, affecting the environment and local air quality. In order to obtain a clear perspective on the potential of the aviation industry to affect the global environment adversely, it becomes necessary to examine the dimensions of air transport and its contribution to the world economy. Although 2002 was a difficult year for the air transport industry, whose prosperity declined, 2003 threatened to be even more challenging. Essentially, the term 'sustainable development' in the context of environmental protection means 'development which the environment can sustain without being polluted'. The fundamental starting point for any discussion on sustainable development is the prospect of the world population doubling in size at the end of the current century to 10 billion, at the rate of increase of 95 million per year.
