Determining the effect of air transportation on air pollution in the most polluted city in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose This study was carried out in Igdir, where Turkey’s urban air pollution is at the highest level, and the population is among the smallest. Thus, the study aims to determine the effect of air transportation on air pollution in the most polluted city in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach The approach includes six stages: choosing the airport, accessing the flight information for the airport, classifying the aircraft that operated at the airport, determining the aircraft engines, calculating the emission amounts, calculating the landing and takeoff-based emissions. Findings Rather than devoting the resources disproportionally to the aviation sector within the scope of economic globalization, as a policy recommendation, to realize its production potential, Igdir, which has a great agricultural production capacity, considering its microclimate, fertile soil and arable land, should be urgently integrated into neighboring markets and the national market via railways. Practical implications It is inferred from the research that Turkey has to consider implementing the emissions tax policy, while the Turkish aviation sector is to realize new regulations for aircraft-engine matching to take public health and the impacts of the airports on their surroundings into consideration more seriously. Originality/value This study is an original one, as it puts the increasing pollution caused by the aircraft into a historical and political-economic perspective. Also, it is an example of an interdisciplinary work that combines environmental science and political science.