AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS: THE CASE OF DIYARBAKIR AIRPORT

Human activities, particularly the use of fossil fuels, have led to the release of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, posing serious threats to human health, air quality, and climate change. The aim of this study is to determine the environmental impacts of aircraft-induced greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on these pollutants. In this context, various analyses were conducted by taking into account all commercial aircraft operating at Diyarbakır Airport between 2018 and 2023. Total emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere during the landing and take-off (LTO) cycle of aircraft were quantified and compared with the year 2020, when the pandemic began. Additionally, the impacts of these greenhouse gases on Global Warming Potential (GWP), Specific Environmental Impact (SEI), and Specific Environmental Costs (SEC) were assessed. Although a significant decrease in aircraft-related GHG emissions was observed in 2020, the amount of emissions per passenger increased. While total GWP and SEI values decreased by approximately 70% in 2020 compared to other years, GWP and SEI values per passenger showed increases exceeding 10%. The highest contribution to GWP was attributed to NOₓ emissions at 57.48%, while CO₂ emissions accounted for the largest share of SEI at 81.79%. Furthermore, a 10% reduction in aircraft taxi time was found to result in more than a 2% decrease in both GWP and SEI values.