Environmental efforts encounter turbulence
Efforts to reduce aircraft’s contributions towards global warming could mean flying at lower altitudes – meaning a bumpier ride for passengers.
The Times today quotes research by the DLR aviation institute in Germany, which is claiming that climate change impact by flights could be halved if pilots flew about 5,000 feet lower than at present. The reason for this is that doing so would prevent the formation of the tell-tale white trails that follow aircraft; The Times explains that the trails broaden after about 30 minutes to form a “blanket” that traps warm air and stops it escaping.
The newspaper states that the weather at 30,000 is warmer and drier than at 35,000 feet, and flying at that altitude would prevent the formation of condensation trails. However, flying at such altitudes would also mean a greater risk of turbulence.
John Green, of the industry environmental group Greener by Design, reportedly told The Times: “Avoiding condensation trails is possibly the most powerful way of reducing the impact of aviation on the environment. Passengers may not like it because it could involve flying through bumpy air, but the impact of turbulence could be reduced by technology.”
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt