Environmental impacts of aviation-induced greenhouse gas emissions: a pre-to post COVID-19 analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the environmental impacts of aircraft-induced greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on these pollutants. Design/methodology/approach Analyses were carried out by considering all commercial aircraft operating at Diyarbakir International Airport between 2018 and 2023. Total hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide (NO x ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions released into the atmosphere during the landing and takeoff (LTO) cycle of aircraft were determined and compared with 2020, when the pandemic began. In addition, the effects of the pandemic were revealed by determining the role of these GHGs on global warming potential (GWP) and specific environmental impact (SEI). Findings Aircraft-related GHGs decreased significantly in the LTO cycle in 2020, and the amount of GHGs released into the atmosphere per passenger increased. Although the total GWP and SEI decreased by 70% in 2020 compared to other years, there were increases in GWP and SEI per passenger exceeding 10%. While the contribution of NO x to GWP is calculated to be 57.48%, the share of CO 2 emissions in SEI is determined to be 81.79%. Originality/value The originality of this study is to determine the environmental impacts caused by aircraft with real flight data and to reveal the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.