This CAPA report summarizes recent aviation sustainability news and environment news. It is a selection from 300+ daily news alerts by CAPA. Contact us for more information.
Etihad Airways is awarded IATA Environmental Assessment stage 2 accreditation
Etihad AirwaysReceived (01-Feb-2022). IATAEnvironmental Assessment (IEnvA stage 2) accreditation across facilities management and flight operations.
The carrier is one nine global airlines that have completed the second stage IATA’s sustainability evaluation programme for ground and air operations.
Etihad Airways head of sustainability and excellence division Mariam Al Qubaisi stated “Our world is becoming more environmentally conscious by the day”, adding “We have recorded many great achievements, from our first ecoFlight from Abu Dhabi to Brisbane in 2019, to the recent launch of our Sustainability-focused loyalty programme, Conscious Choices”. [more – original PR]
Original report: Etihad Airways was awarded IATA Environmental Assessment stage 2, accreditation
Etihad Airways, the national carrier for the United Arab Emirates has completed IATA Environmental Assessment Stage 2 and has been awarded accreditation in four key operational areas: flight operations, facilities management, Etihad technical division, Etihad catering services.
Etihad Airways was awarded IATA Environmental Assessment Stage 2 accreditation
The IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA programme) is a guideline for airlines to ensure sustainability in all aspects of air and ground operations. It is an independent evaluation system that aims to improve and assess the environmental management of an airline. Stage 2 is the highest level IEnvA compliance. It requires that an airline demonstrate ongoing environmental performance improvement.
Etihad, which has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2020 and to halving its 2019 emissions levels by 2035 by 2035, is one the nine airlines that have completed stage 2 of the assessment.
Mariam Al Qubaisi is the Head of Sustainability and Excellence Division at Etihad Airways. She said: The world is becoming more eco-conscious every day. Etihad is proud of its contribution to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry in the UAE and worldwide. We have recorded many great achievements, from our first ecoFlight from Abu Dhabi to Brisbane in 2019, to the recent launch of our Sustainability-focused loyalty programme, Conscious Choices, to reward guests for making sustainable choices when they travel and in their everyday life.
In spite of the challenges posed by Covid-19, Etihad introduced significant CO2 reduction initiatives in its Greenliner sustainability program over the past two years. This includes adopting thousands mangroves, using sustainable fuels and reducing contrails, flying optimised flights paths, operating electric vehicles, and working with partners that share its vision for cleaner skies.
Turkish Airlines uses sustainable fuel to fuel their aircraft
Turkish AirlinesUsed (02-Feb-2022), sustainable aviation fuel on a first Istanbul-Paris CDG flight on 02-Feb-2022.
The fuel produces 87% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels.
Turkish Fuel Services facilitates fuelling and the environmentally friendly fuel source is sourced. Neste.
Initially, the fuel will be used on a weekly basis. It will then be applied to additional services in the future. [more – original PR]
Original report: Turkish Airlines began to use sustainable aviation fuel for its flights
Turkish Airlines began to use sustainable aviation fuel in its flights in order to preserve the richness of nature in Turkey and the 128 countries that make up its flight network. First time that aviation fuel was used from sustainable sources was on TK1823 flight which left Istanbul Airport for Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, 2 February 2022. Sustainable fuel will only be available for one day per week on the route selected, but plans are in place for wider use on other routes.
The flag carrier airport was aware of the impact of aviation on climate change and developed projects to reduce that effect. Turkish Airlines will use sustainable aviation fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 87 percent compared with fossil fuels.
Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of Board and Executive Committee stated that the airline flies to more countries than any other. This means that we are also the airline that introduces guests to the richest biodiversity. This mentality and responsibility is what guides our efforts towards sustainability. This vision includes the first flight using sustainable resources. Turkish Airlines believes that future generations will be able to explore the world and its preserved beauty. We will continue to protect the world with our efforts.
Turkish Airlines’ Turkish Fuel Services subsidiary (TFS), facilitates the fueling process. TFS fuel farm stores the environmentally friendly product from Neste and it is then loaded onto aircrafts after it is mixed with jet fuel. The flag carrier is now aiming to use sustainable fuel for their flights. Global brand is collaborating with Bogazii University to conduct “Microalgae Based Sustainable BioJet Fuel Project(MICRO-JET)”. TUBITAK supports this project. Once the project is completed, the first integrated carbon-negative bio refinery in Turkey and Europe will be available for service.
This clean burning fuel is a sustainable fuel with high energy that helps reduce harmful particles of SOx, and NOx emissions. This fuel is made from sustainable raw materials and does not contain any harmful heavy metals. It will be used as a starting point for flights between Istanbul and Stockholm once a week.
Turkish Airlines Makes Significant Recycling Effort
Turkish Airlines has implemented more than 100 operational optimization programs since 2008 to reduce its carbon footprint. These projects were implemented at all stages of the trip and also in ground operations. The result was that 15 thousand 363 tons of fuel were saved and 48 000 394 tons of carbon dioxide prevented from being released to the atmosphere in quarter three of 2021. Total CO2 prevention was 85 thousand 119 tonnes in the first three quarters.
Flag carrier airline saved enough soil in 2019 to cover 63 football fields and 3 thousand 648 trees through its preventative maintenance operations. This was the best year for global aviation before the pandemic. Turkish Technic prevented machine and aircraft oil from reaching natural water sources. It saved enough water to fill 784 Olympic pools.
Global carrier chooses to use starch-based material in packaging for its inflight products.
2019 Flights
– Bio packaging has prevented plastic consumption of more than 176 tonnes
– Travel kits were removed from shoehorns and combs to prevent 105 tons of plastic waste
– All travel and toy kits were distributed without the use of exterior bags. This made it possible to produce 15 million 229, 000 and 348 bags.
145 thousand 743kg textile waste were recycled into textile products by licensed recyclers
– In 2019, 5 thousand 624 kilograms of glass (a 6750 gram glass raw material) was saved, 67 thousand 784 kilograms of plastic (1085 barrels oil saved) and 252 million 167 kg paper were recycled (equivalent to 4 thousand and 287 trees).
Flag carrier will continue to take preventative steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuels.
easyJet welcomes ICCT study on feasibility of hydrogen powered aircraft
easyJet welcomed (26-Jan-2022) a recent study published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which finds that hydrogen powered aircraft could cap emissions from passenger aviation with policy support and “look surprisingly viable from a design perspective”.
The study also showed that liquid hydrogen combustion aircraft could provide carbonless air travel for upto a third global passenger demand by 2030.
Johan Lundgren, CEO at EasyJet, stated: “Hydrogen represents an opportunity for British, European and other aviation. So we continue to urge governments and corporations to quickly put in place incentives to support it and develop regional hydrogen infrastructures. [more – original PR]
Original report: EasyJet welcomes ICCT research confirming the viability and feasibility of hydrogen-powered aircrafts for short-haul aviation
A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), has found that hydrogen-powered aircraft could reduce emissions from passenger aviation. It also provides policy support. The study is also surprising from a design perspective.
The ICCT states that liquid hydrogen combustion aircraft could provide carbon-free travel on up to a quarter of the global passenger demand, starting in 2035. According to the study, aircraft that burn green hydrogen from renewable energy could fly up to 3400km at lower fuel costs than sustainable aviation fuel.
EasyJet advocates for hydrogen use in short-haul air travel to reduce carbon emissions. The airline joined Race to Zero in November. This global UN-backed campaign aims to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. Technology for carbon-free flying such as hydrogen will be key to achieving this goal.
The airline supports the conclusion of the ICCT that significant government support is required to make hydrogen aircraft operational. They also believe that they should have a level playing field with drop-in sustainable aviation fuels which are still scarce and expensive.
EasyJet has been encouraging industry and government collaboration to create policies to promote hydrogen-powered aircraft development, as well as the infrastructure and technology required to produce hydrogen.
Johan Lundgren (CEO of easyJet) said: We are happy to welcome the findings from the ICCT. They show that carbon-free flight can be made over shorter ranges, something that we have long argued. We believe that hydrogen is a potential opportunity for British and European aviation. Therefore, we continue to urge governments and other stakeholders to put in place incentives to support it, to develop regional hydrogen infrastructure and to level the playing field with sustainable aviation fuels.
easyJet has been championing the development a carbon-free aircraft to decarbonise air travel. The airline works with partners in the industry including Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to accelerate the development zero carbon emission technologies as well as the infrastructure. The airline believes it will be able to fly customers on carbon-free aircrafts by the mid-2030s.
EasyJet is the only major European airline to offset carbon emissions from its fuel use for all flights. This support is provided at no additional cost for customers. It only supports projects that have been certified either by the Verified Carbon Standard (Gold Standard) or the Verified Carbon Standard. These projects reduce or eliminate carbon in the atmosphere. This is not an ideal long-term solution. However, we believe it is the best way to reduce the carbon emitted by flying.
EasyJet’s focus is on reducing its carbon footprint and reducing waste throughout its operations and supply chains. More than 36 million single-use plastic items had been eliminated from inflight operations by 2021. The airline also recently introduced new crew uniforms that are made from recycled plastic bottles. The 45-bottle uniforms could prevent 2.7 Million plastic bottles from ending their lives in landfills or in oceans within five years.
Wizz Air launches Care Rental Reward Scheme with Green Motion
Wizz Air launched (31-Jan-2022) a new car rental reward scheme with Green Motion through their partnership with Rentalcars.com.
Green Motion will offer a 10% cashback to travellers who rent an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Johan Eidhagen, chief people and ESG officer at Wizz Air, stated that “We are proud to have the lowest carbon footprint – only 57.2 grams per passenger km – in Europe’s aviation industry. This partnership only strengthens our leading sustainability position.” [more – original PR]
Original report: Wizz Air launches sustainability reward campaign for car-rental customers
Wizz Air, Europes fastest growing and most sustainable*airline, today announced a new car rental reward scheme with Green Motion through their partnership with Rentalcars.com, one of the world’s leading online car rental platforms. As part of the airlines continued commitment to sustainability, travellers will receive up to a 10% cashback reward when choosing to rent an electric or hybrid vehicle via Green Motion, a world-leading provider of lower carbon emissions car rental options.
Wizz Air partners with Rentalcars.com to offer affordable and customer-friendly car rental options. They also reward customers who choose a more sustainable option with cash back. Green Motion has been awarded the Green Fleet of Year award for eight consecutive years for their efforts to deliver cleaner car rentals.
Wizz Air customers have already benefited from a 5% credit back on their car rental. But now, customers who choose a vehicle through Green Motion, which is available in 54 countries around the world, including 38 airports that Wizz Air operates, will get 10% credit back on their car rental. You can find the full terms and conditions here.
Johan Eidhagen is the Chief People & ESG Officer at Wizz Air. He said: We strive to continually reduce our environmental footprint through a wide variety of sustainability initiatives at Wizz Air. This, along with our commitment to optimizing our customers’ travel experience, is why we are happy to launch this reward scheme through Rentalcars.com. It will allow our customers to rent cars from our extensive network at a discounted rate while making the most of Green Motion. We are proud to have the lowest carbon footprint in Europe, at 57.2 grams per passenger kilometre. This partnership will only increase our leadership in sustainability.
Matthias Schmid, Vice President and Managing Director of Rentalcars.com said: We are thrilled to partner with Wizz Air to provide eco-friendly car rentals in collaboration with Green Motion. Not only can customers do their part for the environment, but they can also save a lot. Wizz Air has been a valued partner for us for seven years. This new initiative is something we are particularly excited about.
Richard Lowden, founder and CEO of Green Motion, said: I am thrilled that Rentalcars.com selected Green Motion to promote and deliver the most sustainable travel options, from flying to renting a car to renting one. Green Motion has one of the widest choices of environmentally-friendly vehicles within our sector, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full-electric, which are available to rent from Green Motion locations in many of Wizz Airs destinations. The Green Motion network is looking forward to collaborating with Rentalcars.com. This amazing benefit rewards our mutual customers who join us on our journey of making car rental greener, one trip at a time.
* Wizz Air was recently recognised as Europes most sustainable Airline based on the Sustainalytics Rating.
ATR conducts test flights using 100% SAF in one engine
ATR announced (02-Feb-2022) it successfully conducted seven hours of flight testing with one engine powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
This successful test was one of several ground and flight tests that were conducted on the aircraft. ATR 72-600 prototype aircraft.
The engine was powered by Neste ‘MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, produced from 100% renewable waste and residues raw materials, such as used cooking oil.
These tests are part of the 100% SAF certification process of ATR aircraft.
ATR, Neste and Braathens Regional Airlines are now targeting a demonstration flight in 2022 on a Braathens Regional Airlines’ ATR aircraft.
The aim is to complete the certification process of ATR aircraft for 100% SAF by 2025. [more – original PR]
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR today announced that it has successfully performed a series of ground and flight tests on its ATR 72-600 prototype aircraft, cumulating seven flight hours with 100 % Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in one engine. The aircraft was powered by Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from 100% renewable waste and residues raw materials, such as used cooking oil.
These tests are part and parcel of the 100% SAF certification process for ATR aircraft. In September 2021, ATR announced a collaboration with Braathens Regional Airlines and Neste to accelerate this certification. The three companies are working closely together, targeting a demonstration flight in 2022 on a Braathens Regional Airlines ATR aircraft. The goal is to have ATR aircraft certified for 100% SAF by 2025.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are a key pillar in the decarbonisation strategy of the aviation sector. They immediately reduce CO2 emissions. A typical regional ATR flight with 100% SAF in both engines will reduce CO2 emissions 82%.
Stefano Bortoli (ATRs Chief Executive officer) stated: As the regional market leader we aim to lead the shift to decarbonisation. ATR turboprops already emit 40% less CO2than similar-sized regional jets. They are the ideal platform for significant advancements in the reduction of CO2 emissions. This milestone shows our commitment to 100% SAF and helping our customers meet their goals to provide sustainable air links in the future, not just in 2035 or 2050.
