Air New Zealand has decided to abandon its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2030, becoming the first major airline to retract such a climate commitment. The airline cites challenges in acquiring more efficient aircraft and sustainable jet fuel as the primary reasons for this decision.

Despite this setback, Air New Zealand is focusing on setting a new short-term target and remains dedicated to the broader industry aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The aviation sector, which contributes approximately 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, has been working on various measures to lower its carbon footprint, including updating fleets and utilizing renewable fuel sources.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran explained, “Recent developments, particularly delays in fleet renewal, have made it increasingly difficult to meet our previous emissions target.”

In 2022, Air New Zealand had set an ambitious goal to reduce its emissions by nearly 29% by 2030, a target significantly more aggressive than the global aviation industry's 5% reduction goal for the same period.

The airline industry has heavily relied on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to cut emissions, but supply has been limited. Ellis Taylor of aviation analytics firm Cirium noted, “SAF is more costly than traditional fuels, and there’s insufficient production capacity to meet demand.”

Moreover, delays in new aircraft deliveries have impacted airlines globally. Both Boeing and Airbus have struggled with supply chain issues, leading to fewer new jets being delivered than expected. Boeing, in particular, has faced several challenges, including a recent criminal fraud plea related to the 737 Max crashes that claimed 346 lives. The company is also under scrutiny following a recent incident where a door panel on a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines blew out shortly after takeoff.

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