What are the primary environmental concerns associated with aviation?

The primary environmental concerns associated with aviation focus on the impacts that aircraft operations have on the environment, which include noise pollution, air quality, and emissions.

Noise pollution arises from aircraft noise during takeoff, landing, and when flying at low altitudes. This can affect communities near airports, leading to health issues and reduced quality of life for residents.

Air quality is compromised due to the emissions generated by aircraft engines, which release pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter into the atmosphere. These emissions can contribute to air quality degradation, with significant implications for health and the environment.

Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), are a significant concern regarding climate change. The aviation industry contributes to the global carbon footprint and efforts are being made to address and mitigate these impacts through improved technologies and sustainable practices.

The other choices pertain to operational concerns or business aspects of aviation rather than environmental issues. For instance, air traffic congestion and scheduling conflicts relate to efficiency in operations, while ticket pricing and customer service issues revolve around the airline industry's management and customer relations. Runway maintenance and airport expansions, although they may have some indirect environmental implications, are primarily focused on the infrastructure needed to support air travel.