Leveling the Playing field in Global Aviation

Leveling the Playing field in Global Aviation

            The global aviation industry is essential to the global society. It is a change agent and the driver of economic, social and cultural development on the global stage. The global aviation industry has changed how people travel and interact with each other and do business.  It would be inconceivable to envisage a world without global aviation industry. However, the global aviation industry is at a cross road and faces old and new challenges from every directions. For the level of playing field to occur in the global aviation industry, it will require an incredible amount of willingness and cooperation among many parties: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations, member states, specialized agencies and non-governmental entities. Some of the issues to be tackle by these agencies for a level playing field include: (1) reduce speculation in the oil market and search for new renewable sustainable energy, (2) establish global emissions level, (3) enhance customer experience at airports and (4) Strengthen new entrance for new start-up airlines, Enhance international aviation safety regulations.

            Oil is perhaps the largest expensive item for the global aviation industry. In most instances, it is not driven by the producers of oil, but by speculators. The price for oil has increased substantially over the years and brought stress on an already beleaguered industry. To level the playing field, the above organizations must find ways to curb oil speculation, on the one hand, and on the other, pool their collective expertise and wisdom to create a regulatory framework to find new renewable clean energy. Likewise, these agencies must find better ways to reduce global emissions level that causes greenhouse gases.  All member states must find ways to reduce emission at an annual basis.

            Customers experience is another issue that must be addressed to level the playing field. Airline travel has become time consuming means of travel due to security related concerns which is viewed negatively by the majority of travelers. Member nations should shift their resources to focus on those few passengers who pose a threat to the air industry. This can be done through high technology. The combination of low barriers to entry and the availability of capital made it possible for new start up airlines to enter the global aviation market. However, many of these new entrants soon went out of business due to a number of reasons and they left the financial market in worst conditions. To avert such circumstances, global aviation industry should strengthen requirements to new entrants and require that new entrant applicants have sound business plans.