An Assessment of the Role of ISO 14001 Certified Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Underpinning Environmentally Sustainable Airline Operations

Abstract

Based on an in-depth qualitative instrumental case study research approach, this study has examined the airlines that have implemented an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The study period was from 1990 to 2021. The qualitative data was analyzed by document analysis. The case study revealed that airlines located inBahrain, Canada, Ethiopia,Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,and the United States of America have implemented Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in accordance with the ISO 14001 based Environmental Management Systems (EMS) standard. The ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard has been adopted by full-service network carriers, two leisure airlines, and by two major air cargo airlines. South Korea-based Asiana Airlines was the first airline to be ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certified in 1996.Since the release of the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard, eight airlines have adopted this standard.The case study revealed that the use of an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management Systems (EMS) underpins airlines environmentally sustainable operations. As part of their environmental management policies, airlines that have implemented an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) have implemented a wide range of environmental conservation measures, which include the acquisition and deployment of the next generation, fuel efficient aircraft, the use of sustainable aviation fuel, energy efficient flight operations and air traffic management procedures optimization, aircraft weight reductions, aircraft engines washing, single engine aircraft taxying, sustainable waste management, electrification of ground service equipment (GSE) and vehicles, the use of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, carbon offsetting programs, water conservation, and energy efficient offices and facilities.