14
An overview of how the Dubai-based carrier is striving for sustainable operations and much more
S
ince 2018, the Emirates Group has combined its annual environmental reporting with its financial reporting, to “provide business context to environmental performance”. Here, Business Traveller highlights key aspects of the company’s sustainability and environmental performance, as outlined in the 2020-2021 annual report, which is available to download in full online (theemiratesgroup.com/annualreport). Reducing fuel emissions Emirates has a modern and fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 6.5 years. It also has a fuel efficiency programme that helps reduce unnecessary fuel burn through the use of a fuel monitoring system, flexible route planning with air navigation partners, air traffic management to develop efficient routes and aircraft weight management to reduce aircraft weight (and thereby fuel burn). Some of the programme’s most recent initiatives include:
SEPTEMBER 2021
1. The operation of ‘flex tracks’, or flexible routings where the airline partners with air navigation service providers to create the most efficient flight plan for each flight, taking advantage of natural tailwinds, while avoiding headwinds and weather systems. These efforts have been ongoing since 2003, and the airline has also been working with IATA to extend this routing system across the world as a standard operating procedure where possible. 2. Working with air traffic management providers to develop protocols that enhance operational efficiency. For instance, reducing the number of flights placed into holding patterns, increasing the availability of Free Route Airspace, and developing more efficient routings. 3. Introducing a robust fuel monitoring system and advanced data analytics, which has resulted in reduction of discretionary fuel uplift from crews and dispatchers. 4. Introducing fuel-efficient practices while the aircraft is on the ground, such as: the use
WORDS TOM OTLEY
Environmental performance takes centre stage at Emirates
of ground power units instead of the aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and switching one or two engines off while taxiing in after landing. 5. The implementation of idle reverse thrust on landing, instead of switching the engines into reverse thrust. 6. The improvement of loading efficiency to HOT match the ideal trim line, STATS resulting in a more aft Centre of Gravity (CG) position and less fuel burn. YEARS 7. Aircraft weight is the average age management – Emirates of Emirates’ fleet continuously reviews its inflight product and cabin environment to individual solar reduce aircraft weight (and panels on the Emirates Flight thereby fuel burn) without Catering plant compromising on customer rooftop experience. Recent initiatives include the use of data analytics and in MILLION the near future of machine plastic bottles learning (ML) and artificial saved from landfill intelligence (AI) to better and made into economy class forecast potable water uplift blankets in each flight.
6.5
8,112 95
