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ETIHAD GUEST LAUNCHES SUSTAINABLE CREDIT CARD INITIATIVE
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tihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and the UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), in partnership with Visa, are launching a sustainably focused Visa credit card. The FAB Etihad Guest Visa Sustainable Card will introduce a series of sustainability focused benefits that will educate and reward members for making sustainable choices and provide options to offset emissions for their spending. The partnership is powered by ecolytiq, provider of digital infrastructure for green finance, which will provide the Sustainability-
Etihad’s IATA environmental assessment success
as-a-Service® technology to track sustainable spending. Etihad is the first airline in the region to reward frequent flyers for being more sustainable in the air and on the ground. Through its Conscious Choices initiative, Etihad Guest members are rewarded for offsetting their flights with miles, carrying less baggage on board, and purchasing sustainable products in the Reward Shop. When they are not flying, members can also earn Tier Miles by offsetting everyday emissions when driving, when heating or cooling their home, cooking their dinner, or by donating miles to a meaningful cause.
Etihad has successfully completed IATA Environmental Assessment stage 2 and received accreditation in four key operational areas: facilities management, flight operations, Etihad technical division, Etihad Catering Services. The IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme is a blueprint for airlines to achieve sustainability in all air and ground operations. It is an evaluation system designed to independently assess and improve the environmental management of an airline. Stage 2 represents the highest level of IEnvA compliance and requires an airline to demonstrate ongoing environmental performance improvement. Etihad, which has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and halving its 2019 emission levels by 2035, is one of only nine airlines globally to complete stage 2 of the assessment.
Retired A380 to be upcycled into a hotel FRÉDÉRIC DELEUZE, a former Airbus engineer, plans to upcycle a retired A380 into a Toulouse hotel. The A380 hotel, with 31 rooms and suites and a restaurant, would be located at the new MEETT convention and exhibition centre, not far from Toulouse airport, with a scheduled opening date of 2024. One of the suites would be one located in and around the A380’s cockpit, while the other would be at the rear of the aircraft located on two floors and connected by the original staircase. Emirates recently announced plans to upcycle its first retired A380 into bespoke furniture and memorabilia, while several of British Airways’ B747s are being saved from the scrapheap, with plans to convert them into film sets and permanent exhibitions. MARCH 2022
