Question: Some people believe that there will be a reduction in air travel in the future. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Answer: The aviation industry has witnessed a multi-fold growth of air travelers over the decades. However, some experts foresee that numbers of flyers will decrease in the years to come. I personally believe that it is a blessing in disguise and do not see it as a negative development.
There are several reasons why a fall in air travel is beneficial to our planet. Firstly, the aviation industry is one of the largest contributors of carbon gases in the atmosphere. Airplanes run on kerosene, which releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. Secondly, people living near commercial airports suffer from noise pollution. It causes sleep disturbances, interference with communication, and performance effects, among others. Lastly, aircraft manufacturers have not put in serious efforts to innovate the engineering mechanism, which could save the fuel or planes could fly on the alternative fuel. This inertia demands a punishment, too.
The opposite is also true. The slowdown in the aviation industry could leave a ripple effect on the economy. There are tens of thousands of people who work for airlines, and their jobs could be threatened. Additionally, airlines have already been facing a turbulent financial time in the world of late. Their profit margins have substantially been squeezed, and some of them are on the cusp of bankruptcy. Ergo, this topic also includes an ethical dilemma about whether to rejoice or to feel sorry.
In conclusion, the reduction in business activities in the aviation industry will be a savior to our degrading environment, but it will also come at a huge cost. (258 words)