HOW TO OVERCOME ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO AID THE RESUMPTION OF SUPERSONIC FLIGHTS?

Commercial supersonic flight began its journey with the iconic Concorde in the late 1960s. However, high operating costs; limited range; concerns about noise pollution and environmental impact; and declining passenger demand led to the retirement of the Concorde fleet in 2003, marking the end of an era in commercial supersonic flight.

The environmental concerns associated with supersonic flight include noise pollution, emissions, and sonic booms, though efforts have been made to mitigate these impacts through technological advancements and regulations.

In recent years, there has been a renewal of interest in commercial supersonic flight, driven by advancements in technology and a growing demand for faster, more efficient air travel. Supersonic flight has the potential to drastically reduce travel times, impacting industries such as business, tourism, and global trade.

In analyzing the market demand for supersonic flight, we must consider consumer preferences, ticket pricing, and competition with existing airlines to assess its commercial viability and future growth prospects. With a concerted effort from industry, policymakers, and the public, we can navigate these challenges and unlock the full potential of supersonic flight as a driver of progress and prosperity in the 21st century.

In 2010, the US Navy’s Green Hornet achieved supersonic flight using a 50-50 biofuel blend. More recently in 2023, Boom Supersonic is looking at reviving the technology. This would increase biofuel emissions but reduce traditional emissions. While flight times would be reduced significantly (from about 8 hours to 3 hours from London to New York), total passenger capacity would be decreased. Perhaps the most promising benefit from supersonic flight research is the advent of innovative technologies that may be transferable to other fields.

Supersonic flight will impose more strenuous demands on the aircraft and its parts. Avenues for innovation in aviation may include newer, lighter, heat resistant and cost-effective alloys that are less dependent on imported critical minerals (Mohan 2024), as well as cheaper and more effective defect detection methods such as X-ray radiography (Hasa and Prasad, 2024).

The re-establishment of supersonic travel could lead us to a new era of global connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.