Aviation experts gather in Penang for Asean sustainability workshop
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 88 aviation experts from the region and Europe have gathered here for the Asean Workshop on Aviation Sustainability – Operational Improvements and Efficiency Gains. The workshop aims to discuss various aviation-related topics, including a focus on carbon emission measurements and airspace efficiency.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) hosted the three-day workshop with support from other relevant agencies.
AirAsia chief sustainability officer Yap Mun Ching said the workshop gathered aviation stakeholders from across Asean to explore innovative strategies to achieve net-zero emissions and to address the growing industry demand for greater collaboration between regulators and airlines.
"For us as airlines, we have to work with all the regulators to implement our net-zero strategies. One of the things we requested from CAAM and EASA was support for a workshop to explore how to improve our measurement of carbon emissions and implement new technologies, as well as to learn from Europe's emissions mitigation plans for our airspace.
"A lot of times when you talk about aviation sustainability, you hear people talking about things like sustainable aviation fuels, maybe carbon offsetting, but the core of it is how efficiently you operate," she told Bernama at the workshop's reception here tonight.
Yap also noted that airlines are now looking to push further through innovation and closer coordination with air traffic management and air traffic control services.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai graced the reception. It was attended by the CAAM deputy chief executive officer (regulator) Captain Md Jani Md Dom.
Malaysia is the Asean chair in 2025. It recently hosted the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from May 23-26 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This is its fifth Asean chairmanship, having held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - BERNAMA
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