With the climate change triggering series of natural disasters, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards are getting more attention in the aviation industry. Airlines are striving hard to strike a balance between sustainability and financial success. An Asian airline has taken the lead by putting sustainability high on its operational agenda. It operates one of the youngest fleets globally, averaging 6.9 years, while the global average is 15.8. Most of its aircraft are equipped with latest technology, and this ensures 25% less fuel consumption compared to older planes on the same route. The airline's commitment to sustainability began in the early 1990s with an aim to raise environmental awareness.
The airline's office buildings have rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which provide approximately 25% of the electricity needs. The group used 4,416 MW of electricity from renewable sources in FY 22-23, which represents 15% of the total electricity used for its facilities and leased locations.
As of FY 22–23, solar panels installed at its primary sites have generated 5,279 MW of renewable energy. The excess electricity produced by the solar PV panels is fed into the electrical networks of its hub airport group to sustain various on-site operations.
Engine washes are performed at optimal intervals to reduce fuel consumption and enhance savings. In FY 22–23, optimized engine washing saved approximately 154 tonnes of fuel.
A digital solution, developed by its inflight prescriptive analytics tool, saved 2,871 tonnes of fuel in FY 22–23 by optimizing fuel usage during an aircraft's climb-out phase. This tool allows pilots to choose the best rate of climb based on terrain, weather, and other factors.
Weight Reduction Initiatives
• The elimination of footrests on certain aircraft led to a weight reduction of 120 kg to 300 kg per aircraft, resulting in an estimated fuel savings of 1,190 tonnes in FY 2022-23.
• Removing economy class handsets from a particular aircraft model reduced weight by 9 kg per aircraft, saving an estimated nine tonnes of fuel in FY 2022-23.
• Modifications to seats improved features while decreasing their weight, achieving a weight reduction of 108 kg per aircraft and an estimated fuel savings of 150 tons in FY 2022-23.
• The removal of in-flight equipment and service items, such as wine opener equipment and a cabin-crew table, along with hard copy in-flight magazines and reading material, resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 16 kg across the fleet, saving an estimated 37 tonnes of fuel in FY 2022-23.
Energy Reduction Initiatives
In FY 2022-23, the airline implemented new energy reduction initiatives, including:
• Modernizing and modifying the operational specifications of air handling units and chiller plants.
• Reducing the unnecessary consumption of data centres’ IT infrastructure, lighting, and air conditioning.
• Gradually replacing lighting with LED (Light-emitting diode) fixtures, which consume less energy.
• Installing newer systems with more energy-efficient motors in place of lifts, resulting in annual energy savings of about 35%.
• Installing energy-efficient chiller plants at the training centre.
Airlines are increasingly using ESG guidelines and renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability and social responsibility. This approach helps airlines build a more robust business model, which is essential for long-term success and compliance with global sustainability trends.
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