Aviation has been pivotal in Saudi Arabia's transportation sector, driven by growing demand and economic development. However, the sector faces sustainability challenges, particularly regarding fuel consumption and emissions. This paper investigates energy efficiency trends in Saudi Arabian commercial aviation from 2017 to 2021, highlighting the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia's aviation sector was growing rapidly, with 103 million passengers in 2019. However, the pandemic led to a 65% reduction in passenger demand, halting international and domestic flights and causing significant disruptions to aviation operations.
This study uses a comprehensive approach to assess energy efficiency in Saudi Arabian commercial aviation, focusing on the period from 2017 to 2021. The data was collected from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), covering daily flights from 20 airports in Saudi Arabia. The primary metric used to measure energy efficiency is the revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) consumed, which provides insights into the relationship between passenger transport and fuel consumption.
The methodology includes the following steps:
Energy efficiency in Saudi Arabian aviation showed a mixed pattern from 2017 to 2021. While some airports saw improvements in energy efficiency, the pandemic led to significant disruptions. Airports like Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam experienced notable fluctuations, with some showing resilience and improved energy efficiency.
Time series models, including SARIMA, Prophet, and ETS, were used to forecast the impact of COVID-19 on energy efficiency. The results showed that despite the pandemic, certain airports achieved energy efficiency improvements due to operational changes and fleet management.
During the pandemic, the Saudi government implemented several management practices, such as travel restrictions, suspension of flights, and the grounding of less fuel-efficient aircraft. These measures, though initially intended to limit the spread of COVID-19, also contributed to unexpected improvements in energy efficiency at certain airports.
As Saudi aviation recovers from the pandemic, the focus shifts toward sustaining improvements in energy efficiency through policy and technology. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for these advancements, though challenges remain. The integration of sustainable aviation fuels and enhanced air traffic management is critical for achieving long-term energy savings, emissions reductions, and broader sustainability goals.
