Aviation and Sustainability (Managing Aviation Operations)

This book offers a comprehensive and management-oriented analysis of sustainability in the aviation industry. It examines aviation’s crucial role in global mobility and economic development whilst also critically addressing its environmental, social and regulatory challenges. Readers will benefit by gaining a realistic, analytically sound framework for evaluating sustainability strategies in aviation. The book supports informed decision-making, helps to anticipate regulatory and market developments, and enables readers to better balance economic performance with environmental responsibility and social acceptance in a highly complex and globally interconnected industry.

By adopting a holistic ESG perspective, the book integrates environmental impacts such as climate change and noise, social issues including equity, accessibility and labour conditions, and governance aspects like regulation, reporting and stakeholder accountability. Rather than presenting simplified solutions, it highlights trade-offs, uncertainties and long-term path dependencies that shape strategic decision-making in aviation. The structured approach combines conceptual foundations with industry-specific insights, covering regulation, technology, sustainability reporting and strategic management practices.

The book is relevant for all managers in the aviation industry, whether they work for airlines, airports, air traffic control organisations, regulatory authorities or political decision-makers. It is particularly important for environmental managers throughout the aviation industry, but also for managers at a senior level, as sustainability is becoming a strategic issue of growing importance. In addition, the book is valuable for students in aviation management programmes as well as for students in related fields such as aeronautical engineering and tourism management.

Karsten Benz (Prof. Dr.) is Professor of Air Traffic Management at Worms University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on ATM/UTM and Sustainable Aviation Fuel. After 25 years on C-Level at Lufthansa Group, Karsten Benz works now as Independent Advisor and Board Member.

Frank Fichert (Prof. Dr.) is Professor of Economics and Transport Economics at Worms University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on competition and regulation in the air transport industry and the environmental issues of aviation.

Tobias Grosche (Prof. Dr.) is Professor of Aviation Management at Worms University of Applied Sciences. His teaching and research focus on network and flight planning, flight operations, aviation analytics and sustainability in aviation.