Two aircraft engine concepts, geared turbofan and open
rotor, can enable a significant reduction to aircraft fuel consumption. With
open rotor, the potential reduction is 15 per cent. These are the findings of
Linda Larsson, who has analysed and evaluated the two concepts.
The average annual increase in passenger kilometres
travelled by air has been 5.8% over the last 40 years, and fuel sales have
increased by 2.2 per cent annually during the same period. New technological
solutions are needed if aviation is to reduce its impact on the climate.