After a six-month practical trial involving biosynthetic fuel, Lufthansa is pleased to announce the first positive results. In all, 1,187 biofuel flights were operated between Hamburg and Frankfurt. According to initial calculations, CO2 emissions were reduced by 1,471 tonnes. Total consumption of the biokerosene mix amounted to 1,556 tonnes.

“Our burnFAIR project went off smoothly and to our fullest satisfaction. As expected, biofuel proved its worth in daily flight operations,” confirmed Joachim Buse, Vice President Aviation Biofuel at Lufthansa.

The highlight of the biofuel trial at Lufthansa will be the first scheduled transatlantic flight to the United States, which is now planned for 12 January 2012. A Boeing 747-400, carrying about 40 tonnes of a biosynthetic fuel mix, will fly from Frankfurt to Washington. With this flight alone, Lufthansa expects to reduce CO2 emissions by 38 tonnes, equivalent to the CO2 emissions of six scheduled flights between Frankfurt and Berlin.

The aviation industry has undertaken a great deal in terms of climate protection and has set itself ambitious targets. In line with IATA’s industry-wide goal, airlines must reduce their net CO2 emissions by 50 per cent by the year 2050 compared to 2005. “If we want to protect our climate and thus our future in a sustainable manner, we need innovative ideas and technologies and an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels – particularly in view of the growing demand for mobility worldwide,” said Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

Biosynthetic kerosene is just as reliable as conventional jet fuel but the environmental effects are more positive. Thanks to the higher energy density of biofuel, it has been possible to reduce the fuel consumption by more than one per cent. Furthermore, biosynthetic kerosene is free of sulphur and aromatic compounds.

The principle behind biofuel is simple and is based on the carbon cycle. Plants withdraw CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When aircraft engines burn biofuel, this CO2 is released back into the atmosphere. Biofuel emits about 50 per cent less CO2 than conventional fossil fuels.

“As a next step, we will focus on the suitability, availability, sustainability and certification of raw materials. But first we must tap into this market. However, Lufthansa will only continue the practical trial if we are able to secure the volume of sustainable, certified raw materials required in order to maintain routine operations,” project manager Joachim Buse stressed.

From 15 July to 27 December 2011 a Lufthansa Airbus A321 was used to operate scheduled flights on the Hamburg-Frankfurt route. One of the aircraft’s engines was powered by a 50-50 blend of regular fuel and biosynthetic kerosene. The aim of this long-term trial was to gain experience in the use of biofuel and collect long-term data. At the same time, the test flight enables the effects of biofuels on the environment and on the maintenance and life time of the engines to be examined.

For further information on Lufthansa and their environmental efforts, visit the Lufthansa website. To read up on previous articles on biofuel flights and initiatives, see World’s first scheduled passenger biofuel flights commence with Lufthansa and Airbus

Source: Lufthansa

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Each year millions of travellers venture abroad without taking our insurance cover, this new policy means that for less than the price of a bottle of wine holidaymakers can travel with the peace of mind of having comprehensive insurance cover if things go wrong. Jet2.com is best known for its flights to city, sun and ski destinations from the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland – this move is the leisure airline’s latest move in its strategy to offer customers great value, recession busting travel products.

Jet2.com, reviewed the travel insurance market and the cover levels – looking at maximum claim values and set its new policy terms to exceed these levels but not so much that the customer was paying for coverage levels that they would never require. The new policy can be bought online at www.jet2insurance.com – there are also 14 day and over 65 options. The purchaser does not need to be travelling with Jet2.com or sister package holidays specialist, Jet2holidays, making the policy available to all.

Paul Humphreys, Retail Director of Jet2.com, said, “Many insurers needlessly bump up their cover beyond that the customer will ever need, just so they can charge them more. We have looked at cover levels and this new insurance product is all the cover you need and for just £5 – which is such good value that it would be reckless to travel without insurance.

“What many people don’t realise is that the best time to take out travel insurance is prior to, or at, the time of booking as that way the policy covers the period leading up to the trip and not just the trip itself. With the facility to purchase the cover online it can be done at any time 24 hours a day.”

This insurance, coupled with Jet2holidays £60 low deposit means that cash strapped holidaymakers can book now and take advantage of the great early bird prices for sun and city breaks in 2012.

The key cover levels of the Jet2insurance are:

• £2m medical cover
• £500 per person cancellation
• £750 per person baggage
• Travel document cover

For further information on Jet2, to view the full policy detail and their environmental efforts, visit the Jet2.com website.

Source: Jet2.com

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Europe’s airlines however, are concerned that this judgement will not diffuse international tension over ETS.

“Evidently, legal experts will analyse the impact of this court decision, but the real issue is political, not legal. Even if the ECJ decides that the EU ETS conforms with EU law, this will not resolve non-European countries’ vehement hostility towards the way EU ETS was introduced globally,” said Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, Secretary General of the Association of European Airlines (AEA). “This political face-off will not be solved in European courts, but in Montreal, through ICAO.”

Over recent months the EU’s ETS policy has attracted political outrage and condemnation from several leading economic powers, including China, India, Russia and the USA. These countries see the EU ETS as an attack on their fundamental sovereign rights and they are exploring all available channels to show their opposition. They have lodged legal cases against ETS, introduced bills to prohibit airlines from complying and launched a challenge through ICAO.

“Europe’s major trading partners are sending a very strong message to the European Commission that this problem will not simply go away,” said Sylviane Lust, Director General of IACA. “Sadly the debate has moved from the environmental agenda to politics – we want to see that change reversed.”

Unless these tensions are diffused, Europe could face further retaliatory measures in the form of trade sanctions, additional taxes or further anti-EU ETS laws.

“European airlines and the European economy must not get caught in the political cross fire, or be put at a competitive disadvantage,” said Mike Ambrose, Director General, ERA. “If these tensions erupt into full-scale trade conflict, there will be no winners – least of all the environment. Political conflict does not cut emissions. However, global political will can.”

A final ruling from the UK, where the case was originally lodged, will now follow.

For further information on the Association of European Airlines and their environmental efforts, visit the AEA website. To read up on previous articles on the AEA, see Airline chiefs met in Brussels to reaffirm commitment to a lower carbon future.

Source: Association of European Airlines

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

This milestone comes just two years after the delivery of Airbus’ 6,000th aircraft which underlines the continued vibrancy of the commercial aviation sector and the market’s clear vote for eco-efficient aircraft.

The 1,000th Airbus delivery was an A340-300 that went to Air France in 1993, nineteen years after the first Airbus aircraft was delivered – an A300B2 also to Air France, in 1974. The 2,000th delivery was six years later in 1999. It took half that time, just three years, to get to the 3,000th delivery in 2002 and three more years to reach 4,000 deliveries. The tempo went up another notch taking Airbus only two years to hand over its 5,000th aircraft, an A330-200 to Qantas in December 2007. The 6,000th Airbus was an A380 which was delivered to Emirates in January 2010.

“It’s particularly fitting that our 7,000th aircraft is an A321 going to US Airways. The airline not only operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world; with over 220 A320 Family aircraft flying in US Airways colours today, they also operate the largest fleet of our best-selling, eco-efficient A320 Family,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “This milestone is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of Airbus teams around the world. We have improved efficiencies company-wide and this has enabled us to deliver record numbers of latest generation aircraft at continually increasing rates, with an environmental footprint ever decreasing.”

“Airbus has been a long-term strategic partner to US Airways. Today we celebrate a significant milestone in Airbus’ history,” said US Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Parker. “It is an honor to be the recipient of their 7,000th delivery. On behalf of the 32,000 employees at US Airways, we applaud this tremendous accomplishment and look forward to a continued successful partnership.”

By the end of the year, US Airways will operate a fleet of 93 A319s, 72 A320s, 63 A321s and 16 A330s. The airline also has firm orders for an additional 58 A320 Family aircraft, eight A330 aircraft and 22 A350 XWBs on backlog.

Over 8,200 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,900 delivered to more than 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320, making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

For further information on Airbus and their environmental efforts, visit the Airbus website. To read up on previous articles on Airbus, see Sharklet Fitted Airbus A320 Successfully Completes First Flight Test

Source: Airbus

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s number one domestic airline, today welcomed the Department for Transport’s draft Civil Aviation Bill and, in particular, the requirement that airlines publish information about the environmental impact of their operations.

Flybe has long-since blazed a trail on transparency in this area, most notably in the form of its groundbreaking Ecolabel Scheme. Launched in June 2007, the ‘ecolabel’ provides Flybe passengers, at the time of booking, with a detailed but user-friendly breakdown of fuel consumption, carbon and NOx emissions as well as noise levels for the aircraft to be used on their journey. Modelled on the EU white good labelling scheme and therefore more readily recognised by the consumer, the ecolabel is not only emblazoned on the side of every single Flybe aircraft by the passenger door but also clearly displayed online and also published in the Flybe in-flight magazine.

The ecolabel was subject to an assurance process by the international consultancy firm Deloitte and Touche and was welcomed by the Treasury Select Committee in February 2008. Its report into the economics of climate change suggested that IATA “….. might get involved in promoting the kind of ‘eco-competition’ made possible by the Flybe scheme” and that…  “airlines should adopt a system of eco-labelling, so that consumers can compare the environmental footprint of each airline when purchasing their tickets.”

Commenting on the draft bill, Jim French CBE, Flybe’s Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Flybe welcomes the government’s move to insist that all airlines publish their environmental data. It will not only give passengers a very clear choice but will incentivise airlines to invest in newer, lower emitting fleet; something Flybe has done over the last 10 years to the tune of $2.5billion, giving us one of the youngest fleets in global aviation.

“Flybe’s ecolabel is an off-the-shelf solution to the challenge of environmental transparency and we stand ready to work with the Civil Aviation Authority and the DfT to share our expertise and knowledge in making transparent reporting a reality.”

For further information on Flybe and their environmental efforts, visit the Flybe website. To read up on previous articles on this Low Cost Airline, see Flybe A Greener Low cost Airline but not at any cost.

Source: Flybe

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

This milestone marks the start of the early flight-test campaign to capture data for fine-tuning the flight laws, as well as for certification and performance validation.

Sharklets are around 2.5 metres tall and will replace the aircraft’s current wingtip fence. Offered as an option on new-build aircraft, Sharklets have been specially designed for the Airbus A320 Family to reduce fuel burn by up to an additional 3.5 percent, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft. This reduction is equivalent to the CO2 produced by around 200 cars annually. The wingtip devices will also enhance the aircraft’s performance.

“The hunt is underway for Airbus to take another bite out of airlines’ fuel bills and CO2 emissions,” says Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy. “With this start of Sharklet flight-testing today, actions speak louder than words as we take another definitive step towards greener aviation.”

A standard fit on the A320neo Family, which on its first anniversary after launch has attracted almost 1,500 orders and commitments from 26 customers, the Sharklets will contribute together with the new engines to 15 percent in fuel savings.

Airbus forecasts the world’s single-aisle airliner fleet to double to more than 23,000 aircraft by 2030, with an average annual fleet growth of 3.4 percent. This expansion will require around 19,200 new single-aisle aircraft deliveries for replacement and growth. Thanks to Airbus’ continuous product improvement investments of around 250 million euros annually in its single-aisle aircraft portfolio alone, the A320 Family is well positioned to capture a leading portion of this market.

For further information on Airbus and their environmental efforts, visit the Airbus website. To read up on previous articles on Airbus, see Jetblue Signs Firm Order for 40 Airbus A320neo Aircrafts.

Source: Airbus

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

The institutionally endorsed programme independently assesses and recognises airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions. It certifies airports at 4 different levels of accreditation (‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’ and ‘Neutrality’). Several prominent European airports have just achieved certification within the programme for the first very time, including Geneva Airport and Rome-Leonardo da Vinci Airport (both at the ‘Optimisation’ level of certification) and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (at the ‘Mapping’ level).

Recent renewals within the programme include Stockholm-Arlanda and Bromma airports in Sweden at the ‘Neutrality’ level, alongside Avinor’s Trondheim Airport and Italy’s Milan-Linate and Milan-Malpensa.

The busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, BAA’s London-Heathrow has just achieved the ‘Optimisation’ level of certification for the second year running.

Other well-known airports which have successfully renewed at the ‘Reduction’ level include Athens International Airport, Brussels Airport, Farnborough Airport, Kristiansand Airport, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. Finally, Ankara-Esenboga Airport, Bologna Airport, Istanbul-Ataturk and Shannon Airport have retained their status at the ‘Mapping’ level.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “Accredited airports now number 46 and span 17 countries. Those airports also account for 49% of European passenger traffic. Their focus on lowering their carbon footprint is making serious headway, as the number of airports certified at each of the various levels of the programme attests. While other industries are still only coming up with ideas and
commitments, airports are charging ahead, making a tangible difference.”

For further information on the Airports Council International and their environmental efforts, visit Airports Council International. To read up on previous articles on the Airports Council International and carbon accreditation , see 20th ACI World Annual General Assembly.

Source: ACI Europe

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

‘The new report summarises the knowledge we have amassed over the last five years in our work to analyse and improve the airport’s air quality. The report indicates that our main challenge is basically fine particles”, said Kristian Durhuus, COO of CPH, continuing: ‘Going to work at Copenhagen Airport should not make you ill, and we are doing everything in our power to minimise the health impact of the air pollution you may be subjected to when working in the vicinity of aircraft and vehicles.”

Copenhagen Airport commissioned the National Environmental Research Institute, now Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE), to measure and analyse air pollution at the Copenhagen Airport site from 2009 to 2011. DCE’s final report confirms the findings of earlier subreports, demonstrating that the concentration levels for the majority of the components of air pollution examined are below the threshold values. The only exception is the number of particles (fine particles), which is at a level three times above that at H.C. Andersen’s Boulevard, one of Copenhagen’s most congested thoroughfares. There are no threshold values for fine particles. The study indicated that the main sources of air pollution are handling vehicles, the aircrafts’ main engines and auxiliary power units (APU).

No miracle solutions
‘Unfortunately, there are no miracle solutions that will eliminate airport air pollution with a single stroke, but we have launched a number of initiatives to reduce particle pollution. They focus mainly on introducing more so-called “green equipment”, such as vehicles fitted with particle filters and various types of electrically powered equipment”, explained Kristian Durhuus.

Specifically, the airport has recently acquired new electrically powered mobile power supplies for aircraft (GPUs), which were previously diesel powered, and polluting equipment is being phased out in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

International focus
Copenhagen Airport’s regular publication of DCE’s measurement results has helped create unprecedented international attention to the issue of fine particle pollution at airports, and Copenhagen Airport will therefore seek to ensure that the international work in this area is strengthened, possibly in collaboration with other European airports.

‘The international focus on this problem is likely to benefit our work. It means that we will no longer be working alone, but that we will hopefully be able to collaborate with colleagues to create a more broadly-based international knowledge base”, said Kristian Durhuus.

Copenhagen Airport has worked on analysing and reducing airport air pollution since 2007 in collaboration with, among others, the airport’s handling companies and the trade union 3F. Most recently, Copenhagen Airport has established collaborations with the Occupational Medicine Clinic at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen on an in-depth examination of the working environment and with the Danish Working Environment Authority on tightening up Copenhagen Airport’s existing action plan.

For further information on CPH and their environmental efforts, visit the Copenhagen Airports website. To read up on previous articles on Copenhagen Airports, see Copenhagen Airports Low Cost Facility Opens.

Source: Copenhagen Airports

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

The CAA is proposing new targets for NATS, the UK’s largest air navigation service provider, aimed at reducing aircraft carbon emissions, with bonus or penalty payments depending on NATS’ performance.

CAA’s proposal is based on several years of development work by NATS responding to requests from its airline customers. It will establish Europe’s most comprehensive and developed incentive regime to encourage the most environmentally efficient use of airspace.

In addition to the carbon savings, it is expected that if NATS meets the new targets it could save airlines up to £120m in fuel costs over the next three years.

Announcing the start of the consultation, Iain Osborne, CAA Director of Regulatory Policy, said: “The aviation sector can only continue to grow, with all the social and economic benefits that brings, if it is environmentally sustainable. That’s why the collaboration between NATS and their airline customers working with the CAA to put in place this efficiency target is so welcome – it shows the potential for real environmental benefits when we work together.”

Richard Deakin, NATS Chief Executive, added: “Improved environmental performance is at the heart of NATS’ work to help create a sustainable future for the industry, which is essential if we’re to be allowed to grow. It also makes good basic business sense as fewer emissions mean less fuel burned – part of our continuing focus on providing the most efficient service to help reduce operating costs for airlines and for our own business. NATS is already working towards stretching targets to reduce ATM-related CO2 which we believe are in line with this new performance measure.

“NATS has led the world in developing this metric, which is the only incentivised flight efficiency metric in Europe.”

Laurie O’Toole, International Air Transport Association Assistant Director, said: “IATA fully supports the introduction of a 3D flight efficiency metric with the CAA’s proposed par value, combining the vertical profile with the horizontal track, and recognises the significant role of NATS in developing the new metric. Given the importance of flight efficiency to airlines, IATA will be urging the European Commission (EC) to consider introduction of a similar metric in the near future which will be of considerable economic value to airlines.”

The proposed regime, and the metric that underpins it, is based on analysis of actual radar tracks since 2006, establishing an average efficiency level in terms of horizontal and vertical flight trajectories in other words how direct the route is, and how smooth the climb and descent for every flight. Flight trajectories have significant impacts on fuel burn and therefore on carbon emissions.

The CAA will work closely with NATS once the regime is in place next year to ensure it is achieving the aims and consider how it can evolve to drive further environmental benefits. NATS and CAA will monitor and publish monthly performance figures.

The measures on flight efficiency complement existing financial incentives for NATS to maintain low delays for flights – which have resulted in projected average delays per flight 30% better than the headline target in 2011.

For further information on the UK Civil Aviation Authority and their environmental efforts, visit the Civil Aviation Authority website.

Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Flight 1403, a Boeing 737-800, departed Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport at 10:30 a.m. for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, making United the first U.S. airline to fly passengers using a blend of sustainable, advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel.

“United is taking a significant step forward to advance the use of environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative fuels,” said Pete McDonald, United’s executive vice president and chief operations officer. “Sustainable biofuels, produced on a large scale at an economically viable price, can one day play a meaningful role in powering everyone’s trip on an airline.”

Today’s flight demonstrates United’s commitment to sustainable biofuels and making progress toward enhancing energy security, diversity of our fuel supply and a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

“Today, roughly four months since the approval of hydroprocessed renewable fuels in commercial aviation, we are excited to see the deployment of these fuels on a domestic U.S. flight,” said Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich. “ATA member airlines continue to demonstrate leadership in fostering new and environmentally preferred sources of energy to transport people and goods throughout the globe.”

Powered by the World’s First 100 Percent Algae-Derived Jet Fuel

Solazyme, working with Honeywell’s UOP process technology, developed the algae oil that was refined into jet fuel to power today’s commercial flight. Solazyme produced the world’s first 100 percent algae-derived jet fuel for both commercial and military applications.

Also, United announced it had signed a letter of intent with Solazyme to negotiate the purchase of 20 million gallons of jet fuel per year, derived exclusively from algae oil, for delivery as early as 2014. Solazyme, headquartered in south San Francisco, manufactured the algae oil used on the flight through its proprietary fermentation process. The end product was then refined outside Houston using renewable jet fuel processing technology from Honeywell’s UOP.

“Looking at United, a company that understands the sustainability of tomorrow means environmental responsibility today, we see a true pioneer in the future of flight,” said Jonathan Wolfson, Solazyme’s CEO. “Solazyme is deeply committed to commercializing our renewable oil production technology, and we’re excited to be partnering with United on the first U.S. commercial biofuel flight.”

Underscoring Eco-Skies, United’s Commitment to the Environment

Operating the first U.S. revenue advanced biofuel flight represents a major milestone in Eco-Skies, United’s commitment to leading commercial aviation as an environmentally responsible company by taking actions today that shape an environmentally sustainable future. Eco-Skies builds upon United and Continental’s solid track record for improving aircraft fuel efficiency and introducing sustainability programs.

Continental in 2009 made history as the first North American carrier to perform a two-engine aircraft flight demonstration using sustainable biofuels derived from algae and jatropha. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft used in that demonstration, tail number 516, is the same aircraft operating today’s flight. In 2010 United conducted the first flight by a U.S. commercial airline using synthetic fuel made from natural gas.

“Advancing a greener, more diverse fuel supply for the future is a top priority for United,” said Jimmy Samartzis, United’s managing director of global environmental affairs and sustainability. “Our environmental actions and commitment extend beyond that — we are reducing our impact on the environment in the air and on the ground with our business partners and across our communities.”

For further information on United and United Airlines and their environmental efforts, visit the United Continental Holdings website. To read up on previous Avition Biofuel articles, see Avinor Initiates Biofuel Study for Aviation in Norway.

Source: United Continental Holdings

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director