Air France halves CO2 emissions on two of its flights with a series of actions to limit its environmental footprint
- A reduction achieved on two flights to Montreal and Lisbon by activating demonstrated decarbonization strategies and screening new eco-responsible initiatives,
- An illustration of Air Frances commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, in line with the Air France ACT programme.
Air France introduced Air France ACT, a programme presenting its new decarbonisation trajectory aiming for 30% a lot less CO2 emissions for every passenger-km by 2030 in comparison to 2019, i.e. 12% considerably less total emissions. In buy to illustrate the techniques in which this goal can be attained, the enterprise is currently at the same time employing a sequence of steps on two of its flights leaving from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.


This project is section of the Skyteam Sustainable Flight Challenge, an initiative aimed at stimulating and encouraging innovation by inviting the alliances member airlines to work the most eco-liable flights feasible from 1 to 14 May well 2022.


In this way, Air France intends to –

- evaluate and illustrate the performance of strategies currently executed and proven, these as new generation plane, Sustainable Aviation Gas (SAF), eco-piloting, and the use of electrical ramp and cargo transportation products
- investigate new avenues that could be exploited in the long term, these kinds of as the intensive use of synthetic intelligence to optimise flight paths, or the use of autonomous tractors for baggage transportation,
- presenting consumers more sustainable, nearby and seasonal catering, restricting food items squander by making it possible for them to opt for the in-flight menu right before they fly, and limiting one-use plastic,
The operation took spot on two industrial flights, 1 to Montreal operated by an Airbus A350 on 3 May perhaps 2022, and the other to Lisbon on 4 May well 2022, operated by an Airbus A220. These most up-to-date technology plane, which are at the heart of Air Frances fleet renewal strategy, take in 20 to 25% considerably less gasoline than prior generation aircraft. Their sound footprint is diminished by a 3rd. By 2030, these aircraft will account for 70% of the Air France fleet, in comparison with 7% today, thanks to an investment decision of 1 billion euros for each yr amongst now and 2025.


The flight to Montreal was fuelled with 16% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the flight to Lisbon with 30% SAF, compared with 1% currently made use of on flights leaving from France below the present-day restrictions. These non-fossil fuels are manufactured from biomass this sort of as utilized cooking oil. They as a result do not compete with the foods chain and let an normal reduction of 80% in CO2 emissions as opposed to conventional fuel above their total lifetime cycle. To acquire the example of applied vegetable oils, this implies having into account the capture of CO2 all through the progress of the plant, its initial lifestyle as cooking oil, its recycling and its use as aviation gas.


On the ground and on board, the pilots executed eco-piloting approaches, these types of as taxiing on a single engine on the ground and optimising trajectories in actual time, in coordination with air website traffic handle.


50% a lot less CO2 emissions


The use of these methods enabled a reduction of close to 45% in CO2 emissions on just about every of the two flights(1). This procedure and its considerable final result have been produced attainable thanks to the determination of team from all Air France sectors, pilots, flight crews, floor staff members, cargo and upkeep staff, business expert services and operational guidance. Various other businesses and associates have also contributed to this achievement, these types of as Airbus, TotalEnergies, Groupe ADP, Servair, Charlatte, Navya, and Montreal and Lisbon airports. This joint action is in line with Air Frances conviction that the decarbonization of the aviation sector will be the outcome of a joint collaboration with brands, airlines, airport authorities, general public authorities and countrywide and global bodies.


Vincent Etchebehere, VP Sustainability and new mobilities at Air France stated: [i”After the announcement of our new science-based CO2 emission reduction targets, it was important for us to illustrate in concrete terms how our sector must transform itself to respond to the climate emergency. On two flights, to Montreal and Lisbon, we have involved our partners and customers in a process aimed at proving the performance of the exisiting procedures, and at coming up with new solutions to take our efforts to reduce our emissions one step further. Our environmental transition is demanding and complex, but it is not an option. Air France is determined to explore all the avenues of innovation used by the other airlines in the SkyTeam alliance, which share its ambition to make air transport compatible with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.[/i]


The figures, this kind of as the amount of reduction in CO2 emissions for each of the levers activated, as nicely as the responses from clients existing on equally flights will be analysed. This details will be made use of to consider the most acceptable strategies of restricting the carbon footprint of Air Frances scheduled functions in the foreseeable future.


These results will be shared with the other SkyTeam alliance airlines that took component in the Skyteam Sustainable Flight Challenge.


The full Air France environmental method can be consulted on the devoted internet site: airfranceact.airfrance.com


Actions applied at each individual stage of the vacation:


Right before the flight :

- A information is despatched to prospects to request them to limit the volume and bodyweight of their baggage. In get to restrict foods waste, they are inspired to pre-find their meals so only the vital goods are loaded on board
- In the lounges, a lot more sustainable, area and seasonal items are provided and eco-liable materials are made use of
- Totally electric powered floor operations, with electrical drive-again of the aircraft, transportation of crews by electric bus amongst their base and the aircraft parking stand and electric transport of cargo.
On board:

- Use of new era aircraft (Airbus A350, Airbus A220) emitting up to 25% significantly less CO2
- Use of 16% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (produced by TotalEnergies) on the flight to Montreal and 30% on the flight to Lisbon, in the case of these two flights allowing for a 90% reduction of CO2 emissions more than the overall existence cycle, larger than the marketplace common of 80%
- Use of eco-piloting methods (taxiing on just one motor, use of on-board improvements for tactical trajectory optimisation, optimisation of climb and descent), letting a 3 to 4% reduction in gasoline usage on each individual flight
- Use of much more sustainable catering tools (lighter, new technology food trolley, recycled and recyclable trays, tableware manufactured from celullose, FSC picket cutlery and stirrers, paper cups, removing of individual plastic bottles)
- Restricting squander by deciding upon a incredibly hot dish right before the flight in all cabins and distributing consolation kits (created from recycled materials and that contains organic cosmetics) on ask for in Business and Quality Economic system
- Selective sorting on board: sorting of plastic bottles, juice bins and cans
Introduction of a a lot more sustainable catering services, fully ready in France, with a 100% vegetarian offer on medium-haul flights and the likelihood for buyers travelling to Montreal to choose right before the flight concerning a vegetarian provider or a dish together with meat from France or fish from MSC sustainable fishing


(1)These figures will be refined in the coming times
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