NEWS 2018

Munich Airport and Lufthansa open 'Green Gate' exhibition to promote their sustainability efforts | Munich Airport,Lufthansa
Munich Airport and Lufthansa open 'Green Gate' exhibition to promote their sustainability efforts
Fri 14 Dec 2018 - Munich Airport and Lufthansa have opened a 'Green Gate' exhibition in the airport's Terminal 2 satellite. It shows passengers programmes and initiatives of the two companies to promote sustainable mobility. In the waiting area of Gate K21, the partners have created a 'discovery zone' centred around aspects of environmental and climate protection. Information panels with short texts, images, infographics, videos and interactive elements demonstrate measures already taken on environmental improvements as well as future strategies. The exhibition also highlights Lufthansa's achievements in fuel efficiency through its modernised fleet, in particular the Airbus A350-900, which is operated on long-haul routes from the Munich hub. Read more ...

Transition to electrical propulsion of aircraft required to hold down aviation's share of global CO2 in 2050 | RAeS,Greener by Design,Wright Electric,electric aircraft,Roland Berger,E-Fan X
Transition to electrical propulsion of aircraft required to hold down aviation's share of global CO2 in 2050
Thu 13 Dec 2018 - A transition to electrical propulsion is required if aviation's current share of global CO2 emissions, around 3 per cent, is to remain the same by 2050, reports consultancy Roland Berger. Presenting its findings at the recent Royal Aeronautical Society's annual Greener by Design conference, it estimated that if the sector was to continue to evolve at its current technological and fleet growth pace, aviation could account for as much as 24 per cent of global CO2 emissions by mid-century as other industries rapidly decarbonise. At the conference, Airbus said the prospects for all-electric aircraft were very promising for shorter range aircraft but the challenge remained of how to power and reduce the environmental impact of the large aircraft sector. Jeff Engler of US start-up Wright Electric, which is being supported by low-cost airline easyJet in efforts to have an electric passenger aircraft in operation by 2030, said getting to commercialisation would require huge spending in research, as well as industry support and policy intervention. Read more ...

Kalmar Airport, airlines and businesses work towards future fossil-free flights to Stockholm | Kalmar Airport,BRA,Air BP,SAS
Kalmar Airport, airlines and businesses work towards future fossil-free flights to Stockholm
Tue 11 Dec 2018 - A unique airline/airport cooperation has been agreed that will see all domestic flights from Kalmar to Stockholm meet a 5 per cent biofuel target in 2019. Under the agreement, airlines SAS and BRA will pay for 50 per cent of the additional cost of the biofuel, while Kalmar Oland Airport will secure funding for the remaining half. The approximate 80 tonnes of biofuel required for the flight services will be supplied by fuel supplier Air BP. Together with its owner, the Kalmar Municipality, the airport says it has been working actively for many years to create the funding conditions for the additional cost premium of biofuel, with a long-term goal of having fossil-free aviation from Kalmar. BRA has been offering its passengers the option to pay an extra fee per flight to enable the regional carrier to fly on biofuel. SAS has pledged to use renewable fuel on all domestic flights by 2030. Read more ...

Fuel suppliers join forces to supply three European airlines with sustainable fuel at SFO | SkyNRG,SFO,Finnair,Shell
Fuel suppliers join forces to supply three European airlines with sustainable fuel at SFO
Tue 11 Dec 2018 - Shell, World Energy and SkyNRG have joined forces to supply three European airlines - KLM, SAS and Finnair - with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at San Francisco Airport (SFO). The fuel, to be produced from used cooking oil, will be sourced by SkyNRG from World Energy's Paramount refinery in Los Angeles. The initial phase of the initiative aims to pave the way for longer term, more resilient SAF supply chains at the airport, say the partners. In May, Shell and SkyNRG announced a long-term collaboration to promote and develop the use of SAF in aviation supply chains. A MoU was then signed in September by SFO and a group of eight airlines and fuel producers to expand the use of SAF at the airport. Finnair's involvement is as a result of starting to offer its customers from early 2019 the opportunity to offset their CO2 flight emissions by supporting the use of SAF or by funding emissions reduction projects or carbon sinks. Read more ...

Airlines having difficulty in raising carbon efficiency in line with growth, finds atmosfair | atmosfair,TUI,LATAM
Airlines having difficulty in raising carbon efficiency in line with growth, finds atmosfair
Mon 10 Dec 2018 – German non-profit carbon offsetting company atmosfair says airlines that have not updated their fleets or have only made slight improvements have lost ground in its latest global ranking of airline carbon efficiency. Worldwide, it says, only one in ten airlines is managing to keep its CO2 emissions in line with its traffic growth and fuel efficiency is rarely moving at the same pace as kilometres flown. Carbon emissions grew by 5 per cent, while the number of kilometres flown increased by 6 per cent, according to the data for 2016 examined by atmosfair of the largest 190 airlines covered by its Airline Index 2018. UK holiday airline TUI Airways again topped the rankings of the most efficient airlines, with LATAM the best performing international scheduled carrier. (Article updated 14 Dec)  Read more ...

Carbon markets, NGOs and IATA urge countries at COP24 climate talks to adopt robust rules on double counting | COP24,double counting
Carbon markets, NGOs and IATA urge countries at COP24 climate talks to adopt robust rules on double counting
Fri 7 Dec 2018 - Carbon market representatives, IATA and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) have urged countries currently meeting at the UNFCCC's COP24 in Poland to adopt strong rules to avoid double counting on emissions reductions under the Paris Agreement and ICAO's CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme. This week, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the US-based EDF and a group of 40 companies, business groups and NGOs issued a 'Katowice Declaration on Sound Carbon Accounting'. Double counting could occur when a country claims a reduction of emissions against its climate pledge under Paris when that same reduction has been sold under a carbon offset programme to, say, an airline in respect of its CORSIA obligations. Robust rules will give airlines confidence that the emissions units they buy bring about genuine reductions, says IATA. Read more ...

British Airways launches sustainable aviation fuels university challenge | British Airways,IAG
British Airways launches sustainable aviation fuels university challenge
Fri 7 Dec 2018 - British Airways is challenging UK academics to create a new generation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) based on carbon reduction potential, innovation, value to the UK economy and feasibility to implement. In a collaboration with Cranfield University, a competition with a first prize of £25,000 to fund further research was launched at an event held at BA's London headquarters attended by UK universities and industry experts. The award is part of a commitment from BA's parent International Airlines Group (IAG) to invest a total of $400 million over 20 years in sustainable fuel development and long-term supply agreements. BA Chief Executive Alex Cruz said the UK could lead the world in developing and producing SAF. The airline also provided an update on its project with Velocys to produce renewable jet fuel from municipal waste. Read more ...

Heathrow lays out a roadmap for achieving a carbon neutral growth future | Heathrow Airport
Heathrow lays out a roadmap for achieving a carbon neutral growth future
Tue 4 Dec 2018 - Heathrow Airport has signalled its intention that by the time its proposed third runway begins operations in 2026 all new growth will be carbon neutral. This would mean that growth in emissions from additional flights after expansion would be offset through carbon credits. It expects 95 per cent of flights departing Heathrow in 2026 to be covered by the global CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme and the airport aims to offset any remainder. Heathrow wants to play a major role in helping the aviation sector act on carbon emissions through four key areas: cleaner aircraft technology; improvements to airspace and ground operations; sustainable aviation fuels; and developing and promoting new ways of carbon offsetting. Using offsetting as an interim measure, it is planning to make the airport's own energy use carbon neutral from 2020. Read more ...

Aviation industry says it's on track and committed to start reporting carbon emissions from January | CORSIA,AC18
Aviation industry says it's on track and committed to start reporting carbon emissions from January
Fri 30 Nov 2018 - With just a month to go before airlines and business aircraft operators with international flights must start monitoring and reporting their CO2 emissions under the CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme, the sector says it is firmly on track to meet its commitments. "We're really encouraged by the readiness of the operators and there has been an outstanding response to the capacity-building efforts the industry has put in place, with positive engagement from both airlines and governments," Michael Gill, Executive Director of the industry coalition Air Transport Action Group, told the recent Aviation Carbon 2018 conference. He and other industry leaders called for early resolution of outstanding issues at ICAO on criteria around emissions units and alternative fuels. They also expressed concerns over a potential global patchwork of overlapping or contradictory measures and regimes. Read more ...

As ICAO deadline approaches, Europe wrestles with differences over CORSIA | CORSIA SARPs
As ICAO deadline approaches, Europe wrestles with differences over CORSIA
Wed 28 Nov 2018 - The EU Council has agreed a common position on a response to ICAO over the "filing of differences" by EU States with CORSIA regulations adopted by the ICAO governing Council in June. ICAO Member States are required before the end of this week (Dec 1) to notify the UN body if their national regulations or practices do not conform with the CORSIA Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). Although the filing is essentially a legal process concerning MRV regulations, influential members of the European Parliament and environmental groups are pressing EU States to protect the future of the Aviation EU ETS in their filings. The airline industry and third countries such as the United States, on the other hand, are calling for the full replacement of the EU ETS with the ICAO global carbon offsetting scheme for international aviation. Read more ...

SAS and Norwegian join initiatives to reduce emissions and drive sustainability | SAS,Norwegian,Avtech
SAS and Norwegian join initiatives to reduce emissions and drive sustainability
Fri 16 Nov 2018 - Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) CEO Rickard Gustafson has joined other Nordic-based company leaders in announcing an initiative to align their business strategies with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore opportunities for collaboration. They say there is a need for new business models to drive the transition to a modern economy aligned with ethical, social and environmental priorities. Referencing SDGs 9, 12 and 13, Gustafson said SAS will reduce its emissions by 25 per cent by 2030 and use advanced biofuels equivalent to all SAS domestic air traffic. Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Norwegian has said it will expand an initiative undertaken with Sweden's Avtech on new weather technology that can help optimise flight paths for improving fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Read more ...

Dutch aviation sector presents government with action plan to reduce gross emissions by 35 per cent by 2030 | KLM,Schiphol
Dutch aviation sector presents government with action plan to reduce gross emissions by 35 per cent by 2030
Thu 15 Nov 2018 - The Dutch civil aviation sector has pledged to reduce its gross carbon emissions originating in the Netherlands by 35 per cent by 2030. This is in addition to airline commitments required under the EU Emissions Trading System and the global CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme. To achieve the target, the industry has presented the Dutch government with its 'Smart and Sustainable' action plan covering seven areas, including ground operations, where it believes emission reductions can be made. It adds the plan aims to make the Dutch airline industry "the smartest and most sustainable sector in the world," with research consultancy CE Delft assessing its objectives as ambitious yet achievable. Read more ...

International network of activists mount campaign to halt growth of the aviation sector | Stay Grounded
International network of activists mount campaign to halt growth of the aviation sector
Wed 17 Oct 2018 - A two-week campaign has ended by an international network of around 130 civil society organisations and activist groups to protest against unrestrained expansion of the aviation sector and its impact on the climate and local residents. The Stay Grounded network, which includes Friends of the Earth International, reports it carried out 27 "actions" in 11 countries to raise awareness of what it describes as "the ongoing massive wave of airport infrastructure expansion and the need for alternatives". The countries included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands and the UK. The network says its campaign is also directed against the ICAO CORSIA scheme and the use of carbon offsetting. It has published a position paper outlining 13 steps for transitioning towards a transport system "that is more socially just and ecologically sustainable". Read more ...

Heathrow offers landing charge incentive to first electric-powered commercial flight | Heathrow,E-FanX,Siemens,Zunum,Wright Electric,hybrid-electric
Heathrow offers landing charge incentive to first electric-powered commercial flight
Wed 17 Oct 2018 - As part of efforts to encourage airlines to invest in electric technology and speed up the arrival of zero-emissions flights, Heathrow Airport has announced it will offer free landing charges for a year to the first electric or electric-hybrid commercial flight into the airport and then entering regular service. Heathrow estimates at current price levels, the prize would be worth nearly £1 million ($1.3m) to the operator. As the likelihood of a passenger electric-hybrid aircraft entering service is over a decade away, the incentive is largely symbolic for now but the airport hopes the gesture will encourage innovators. It estimates more than 100 electric aircraft projects are underway across the world. With global air passenger traffic expected to double by 2035, the prospect of much quieter, cleaner and more efficient electric aircraft can play a critical role in driving a sustainable future for the aviation sector, it adds. Read more ...

Norway's government introduces 0.5 per cent blending mandate for advanced aviation biofuels from 2020 | Norway,Ramboll,Avinor
Norway's government introduces 0.5 per cent blending mandate for advanced aviation biofuels from 2020
Thu 11 Oct 2018 - The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment has announced a requirement for a minimum requirement of 0.5 per cent content of advanced biofuel be mixed with jet fuel sold from 2020. This follows a consultation that had proposed a 1 per cent requirement by 2019. The ministry has stipulated that no biofuel should be used from "problematic" raw materials such as palm oil and should come instead from advanced fuels produced from wastes and residues. It has used calculations from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency to estimate that the mandate will result in a reduction of 14,000 tonnes of CO2e in the first year. Meanwhile, as part of its 2019 national budget, the government has said it intends increasing the air passenger tax on long-haul flights and reducing it on regional flights in order to give the tax an "environmental profile". Read more ...

Climate action and climate resilience are two sides of the same challenge for airports around the world, says ACI | ACI Europe,ACI World,Airport carbon accreditation
Climate action and climate resilience are two sides of the same challenge for airports around the world, says ACI
Wed 10 Oct 2018 - The number of airports worldwide engaged in the sector's Airport Carbon Accreditation programme has risen to 246 over the past year, representing a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. Collectively, those airports managed to reduce their CO2 emissions by 347,000 tonnes. The programme has four levels of accreditation and 48 have now achieved the highest carbon neutral status. Of those, 44 airports have reported offsetting 672,000 tonnes of CO2 during the latest year of the programme, which was originally launched by trade body ACI Europe in June 2009. Meanwhile, ACI World has published a policy brief to encourage airports to conduct risk assessments, consider various adaptation measures and develop mitigation strategies for the potential impact of climate change on their infrastructure and operations.  Read more ...

Government support for LanzaTech's low-carbon jet fuel could enable three UK plants by 2025, says Virgin Atlantic | Virgin Atlantic,LanzaTech
Government support for LanzaTech's low-carbon jet fuel could enable three UK plants by 2025, says Virgin Atlantic
Tue 9 Oct 2018 – Virgin Atlantic has urged the UK government to offer LanzaTech access to the same incentives given to earlier generations of biofuels that would provide critical investor support to enable the building of three commercial low-carbon jet fuel production plants in the UK. With the incentives, LanzaTech says the three plants could be producing up to 125 million gallons of sustainable fuel per year by 2025 – enough to fly all Virgin Atlantic's UK outbound flights as a 50/50 mix with conventional jet fuel - and other important benefits to the UK. Without support, "the opportunity will no doubt be picked up elsewhere," said the airline. Government ministers were on hand at London Gatwick Airport to welcome the first commercial flight to use the LanzaTech alcohol-to-jet fuel. Read more ...

Industry and countries prepare for introduction of CORSIA but "much work to be done" | GSAS
Industry and countries prepare for introduction of CORSIA but "much work to be done"
Tue 9 Oct 2018 - With just three months to go before all airlines with international flights must start monitoring their carbon emissions, ICAO's CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme was centre stage at this year's Global Sustainable Aviation Summit (GSAS) in Geneva organised by the industry's Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Marking 10 years since the industry announced its emissions reduction goals through to 2050, IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said flying was now 20 per cent more efficient than a decade ago. He called on more governments to volunteer to join CORSIA and reaffirm it as the single global market-based measure for aviation emissions. This was backed by a senior FAA official who said continued US support for CORSIA was driven by a need to avoid a patchwork of national and regional measures, adding it was essential China took part in CORSIA. Read more ...

Majority of public believe cutting emissions is main priority for changes to UK airspace, finds poll conducted for NATS | NATS
Majority of public believe cutting emissions is main priority for changes to UK airspace, finds poll conducted for NATS
Thu 27 Sept 2018 - Research commissioned by UK air traffic service provider NATS shows just over half (52 per cent) of 1,000 people polled by Ipsos MORI agreed that reducing aircraft carbon emissions should be the top priority from any reworking of the UK's airspace. Improving flight paths (36 per cent) and reducing aircraft noise (32 per cent) were next in line of importance. Less than a quarter (24 per cent) of those polled cited increasing airport capacity as a priority, although almost half - a figure that rises to 64 per cent in London - agreed that airport expansion was "the right thing to do", with 15 per cent disagreeing. NATS says much of the UK's network of air routes and flight paths, originally designed in the 1960s, are in urgent need of modernisation. Read more ...

Heathrow announces investment in its first peatland restoration project as part of carbon neutrality target | Heathrow Airport
Heathrow announces investment in its first peatland restoration project as part of carbon neutrality target
Mon 24 Sept 2018 – As part of plans to be carbon neutral by 2020, Heathrow Airport is to invest £94,000 ($124,000) in a peatland restoration pilot project in the north-west of England. Peatlands represent the UK's biggest store of carbon despite 94 per cent of natural peatland having been either destroyed or damaged. The airport believes that by supporting research into the climate benefits of peatland restoration, the pilot project will help explore opportunities for peatland to deliver cost effective carbon offsetting alongside a range of other benefits such as biodiversity, water quality and flood protection. It also hopes similar projects would make a good option for airlines as part of their CORSIA carbon offsetting commitments. Heathrow says it aims to operate zero carbon airport infrastructure by 2050 and has announced Terminal 2 is now powered entirely by renewable means. Read more ...

Japan Airlines invests $8 million in venture with US waste-to-jet fuel company Fulcrum | Fulcrum BioEnergy,Fulcrum,Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines invests $8 million in venture with US waste-to-jet fuel company Fulcrum
Fri 21 Sept 2018 - Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced a strategic partnership to develop sustainable aviation fuels that will include a 900 million yen ($8 million) investment by the airline in waste-to-jet fuel US company Fulcrum BioEnergy. The other partners include the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN) and Marubeni Corporation, which will lead the partnership. In early 2009, JAL became the first Asian airline to fly an aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuel when it undertook a test flight of a Boeing 747 using fuel produced from camelina oil. Fulcrum has already secured investment and jet fuel offtake agreements from Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. In May, it broke ground on its Sierra BioFuels production facility in Nevada, which is expected to start operations in early 2020. Read more ...

Delivery flight of new Airbus A321 marks first-ever use by JetBlue of renewable jet fuel | JetBlue
Delivery flight of new Airbus A321 marks first-ever use by JetBlue of renewable jet fuel
Fri 21 Sept 2018 - A delivery flight yesterday of an Airbus A321 from the Airbus A320 Family production facility in Mobile, Alabama, to customer JetBlue marked the first-ever use of renewable jet fuel by the New York-based carrier. Both the pre-delivery acceptance test flight and the JetBlue scheduled ferry flight were powered by a blend of fuel consisting of 15.5 per cent renewable jet fuel provided by Airbus and supplied and certified by Air BP. An additional four new Airbus A321 aircraft that are due to be delivered to JetBlue by the end of 2018 will also use the fuel. Since 2016, Airbus has offered customers the option of biofuel-powered delivery flights from its main base in Toulouse through a partnership with Total, with Cathay Pacific taking up the option for new Airbus A350 deliveries to Hong Kong. Airbus says it intends offering the option to other airlines taking deliveries from its Mobile facility. Read more ...

Airlines and NGOs spell out differing positions over CORSIA implementation and the future of the Aviation EU ETS | CORSIA SARPs
Airlines and NGOs spell out differing positions over CORSIA implementation and the future of the Aviation EU ETS
Tue 18 Sept 2018 - International airline associations have written a joint open letter to the European Commission urging it to ensure the ICAO proposed rules governing the CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme are adopted uniformly and in their entirety throughout Europe. They also call for the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements of the EU ETS to be aligned with those of CORSIA in order to avoid an added administrative burden, and for all international intra-EEA flights to be removed from the scope of the EU ETS from January 2021 when the first voluntary phase of CORSIA starts. In response, a group of Europe-based NGOs has called on the Commission to resist any moves to amend, barring certain non-essential MRV provisions, the EU ETS directive and for the EU to reserve its position on CORSIA until a review of the ICAO scheme has taken place. Read more ...

United operates longest-ever transatlantic biofuel flight and pledges to halve GHG emissions by 2050 | United Airlines,Agrisoma,Carinata,Alt Air
United operates longest-ever transatlantic biofuel flight and pledges to halve GHG emissions by 2050
Mon 17 Sept 2018 - United Airlines has operated the longest non-stop transatlantic biofuel journey to date when a 30/70 blend of biojet produced from Carinata oilseed and conventional jet fuel powered a Boeing 787 flight from San Francisco to Zurich. The biofuel content of 16,000 gallons was refined and supplied by World Energy's AltAir Fuels plant in Paramount, California. United says it is the first airline globally to use sustainable aviation biofuel on an ongoing daily basis and has sourced more than 2 million gallons since 2016. It claims responsibility for over half of the industry's current commitments to biofuel usage. To mark the flight, the airline said it was becoming the first US carrier to publicly pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 from a 2005 level. United CEO Oscar Munoz said with rising fuel prices, the financial case for sustainability was clear. Read more ...

Gap between the most and least fuel efficient transatlantic airlines has increased over past three years, finds ICCT study | ICCT
Gap between the most and least fuel efficient transatlantic airlines has increased over past three years, finds ICCT study
Mon 17 Sept 2018 - Transatlantic airline fuel efficiency between 2014 and 2017 improved by an average 1 per cent per year as a result of the use of new aircraft with lower fuel burn but is less than the industry goal, finds a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The study analysed 20 airlines operating non-stop flights between the United States and Europe and found the carbon intensity gap between the most and least efficient carriers increased from 51 per cent in 2014, when ICCT published its first study, to 63 per cent in 2017. Unsurprisingly, the new low-cost entrants into the transatlantic market, Norwegian Air and WOW performed better than the bigger mainline carriers with their business models of lower seating densities and higher percentage of premium seats. However, the underlying fuel burn of an airline's fleet was found to be the most important driver overall, accounting for around 40 per cent of the variation in fuel efficiency across carriers. Read more ...

LanzaTech's low-carbon jet fuel ready for take-off as Virgin Atlantic plans for first commercial flight in October | Virgin Atlantic,LanzaTech
LanzaTech's low-carbon jet fuel ready for take-off as Virgin Atlantic plans for first commercial flight in October
Fri 14 Sept 2018 - Virgin Atlantic will undertake a passenger flight in October using for the first time low-carbon fuel produced through its partnership with LanzaTech. This follows a decision by members of the fuel standards body ASTM in April to include alcohol-to-jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene (ATJ-SPK) produced from ethanol as an approved blending component of conventional jet fuel for commercial flights. The flight is a major step for both LanzaTech and the airline, which first committed seven years ago to developing and commercialising the low-carbon fuel from pioneering technology that captures and recycles carbon-rich industrial waste gases from steel mills into ethanol. The Chicago-based company is now looking to build a first commercial-scale ATJ plant in the UK. Read more ...

Neste signs biojet agreement with Alaska Airlines as plans are dropped for Geneva Airport project | Neste
Neste signs biojet agreement with Alaska Airlines as plans are dropped for Geneva Airport project
Fri 14 Sept 2018 - Finnish renewable jet fuel producer Neste has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alaska Airlines to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuels by the carrier. The two partners say they will work closely together to design, create and implement solutions to lay the groundwork for a wider adoption of renewable fuels within the airline industry. Announcing the MoU, Alaska Airlines and Neste said they shared the view that closer collaboration within the industry and key partners would "help create the 'lift' necessary to help move aviation in the right direction." This follows news that a pilot project to replace 1 per cent of the conventional fuel used at Geneva Airport by Neste's fuel has been cancelled. Read more ...

Virgin Australia and Brisbane Airport complete biojet trial using general fuel supply system | Virgin Australia,Brisbane Airport,Gevo
Virgin Australia and Brisbane Airport complete biojet trial using general fuel supply system
Wed 12 Sept 2018 - A trial has ended at Brisbane Airport to supply aircraft with blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the airport's general fuel supply system. Partners in the initiative included US-based renewable jet fuel producer Gevo and the Queensland government, with Virgin Australia leading the procurement and blending of the fuel. The biojet was used to fuel 195 domestic and international flights departing Brisbane that travelled more than 430,000 kilometres between them. The airline said it hoped to fuel more flights from Brisbane with biojet over the next 12-18 months. Gevo's alcohol-to-jet fuel was shipped from its plant in Texas, having been derived from isobutanol produced in Minnesota. However, the Queensland government is supporting moves to commercialise local production of SAF in the state. Read more ...

Heathrow says airlines continue switch to cleaner aircraft and announces winners of first sustainability prizes | Heathrow Airport
Heathrow says airlines continue switch to cleaner aircraft and announces winners of first sustainability prizes
Mon 10 Sept 2018 - London's Heathrow Airport says the trend by airlines to switch to newer, quieter aircraft is continuing, with more than one in five aircraft landing at the airport this year expected to be Chapter 14 Low compliant, the quietest aircraft available, an increase from the 16 per cent in 2017. The airport has published its latest Fly Quiet and Green quarterly league table for the period April to June, which shows Aer Lingus taking over top spot from Scandinavian Airlines, followed closely by British Airways' short-haul fleet. Heathrow has also announced the winner of its first Centre of Excellence Sustainable Innovation Prize. Start-up Energy Crop Solutions will receive £20,000 ($26,000) in funding and the opportunity to use the airport as a test bed to explore the applicability and benefits of the latest willow cultivars for local communities and Heathrow's biomass boiler. Read more ...

SpiceJet operates India's first biofuel-powered flight as Indonesia seeks US and European help on palm oil biojet | India,SpiceJet,CSIR-IIP,Indonesia
SpiceJet operates India's first biofuel-powered flight as Indonesia seeks US and European help on palm oil biojet
Mon 3 Sept 2018 - Low-cost carrier SpiceJet last week operated India's first test flight powered by biojet fuel. A Bombardier Q400 aircraft flew the 236-kilometre route from Dehradun in the norther part of India to the capital New Delhi using a 75/25 blend of conventional jet kerosene and a biofuel sourced from the jatropha crop. The biofuel was developed by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), one of the constituent laboratories of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research based in Dehradun. The airline says the fuel meets the ASTM specification and the Pratt & Whitney and Bombardier standards for commercial aircraft application. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Indonesia has asked for its companies be allowed to build palm oil-based jet biofuel plants in the US and France as a condition for its airlines to buy Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Read more ...

The sky’s the limit for sustainable aviation fuels, says Canadian government as it launches competition | GARDN,Air Canada,WestJet,Natural Resources Canada
The sky’s the limit for sustainable aviation fuels, says Canadian government as it launches competition
Thu 23 Aug 2018 - Reducing aviation's environmental footprint is critical in the transition to a lower-carbon economy and cleaner fuels are central to those efforts, believes Natural Resources Canada, which has launched an initiative to stimulate the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The government says it is challenging Canadians to develop clean, affordable fuel for the aviation sector to further reduce its carbon footprint and fight climate change. The 'Sky's the Limit Challenge' consists of two competitions with significant prize money to develop innovative SAF development solutions and also produce enough made-in-Canada biojet to fuel a cross-Canadian commercial flight. Partners in the initiative include Air Canada, WestJet and GARDN. Read more ...

Norwegian government closes consultation on a 1% mandate proposal for aviation biofuels | Red Rock Biofuels,Avinor,Norway
Norwegian government closes consultation on a 1% mandate proposal for aviation biofuels
Fri 17 Aug 2018 - A consultation by Norway's Ministry of Climate and Environment on a proposal to introduce a mandate requiring all commercial jet fuel sold in the country to contain one per cent of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 1 January 2019 closed yesterday. The intention is to bring the mandate into line with road transport requirements for fuel suppliers, with the SAF percentage expected to increase to 30 per cent by 2030. Theye Veen, CFO of aviation biofuel supplier SkyNRG, which has established a major presence in the Nordic region, called the proposal a brave move that was achievable under the right conditions. Meanwhile, Red Rock Biofuels has broken ground on its new $320 million Lakeview biorefinery in the US that is slated to produce 15 million gallons of renewable jet fuel annually when fully operational. Read more ...

Sweden's Visby Airport announces its operations are now fossil-free | Swedavia,Fly Green Fund
Sweden's Visby Airport announces its operations are now fossil-free
Thu 16 Aug 2018 - Swedish airport operator Swedavia has claimed its operations at Visby Airport have become entirely fossil-free. Swedavia is aiming to have all 10 of its airports fossil-free by 2020 at the latest, with Visby achieving the objective two years ahead of the deadline. Carbon emissions have decreased from around 300 tonnes to zero in the space of 10 years as a result of efficiency measures and replacing all fossil fuel-powered vehicles - from fire trucks to snow removal equipment. Energy consumption has also fallen steadily over the period and the airport’s energy is provided by renewable electricity. Sweden is targeting its entire domestic air transport sector to be fossil-free by 2030 and to include international air transport by 2045 as a result of large-scale use of aviation biofuels. Read more ...

Wildlife traffickers highly dependent on a vulnerable air transport sector, finds report | ROUTES,Wildlife trafficking,C4ADS
Wildlife traffickers highly dependent on a vulnerable air transport sector, finds report
Wed 15 Aug 2018 - Wildlife traffickers are highly dependent on commercial air transport to move their contraband quickly, where they continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the system, and instances of trafficking have been recorded in 136 countries around the world. A new analysis by ROUTES Partnership finds wildlife seizures in air transport more than quadrupled between 2009 and 2017, with seizure numbers in 2017 increasing by 40 per cent over the previous year. Traffickers have become adept at exploiting lagging technology, corruption, capacity problems and other issues within airports, and often target specific airports or flight routes. The 200-page 'In Plane Sight' report is considered the most comprehensive assessment of its kind to date and reveals the movement, trends and methods of wildlife traffickers in the global air transport sector. It also comes up with more than a dozen recommendations based on seizure data for preventing wildlife trafficking through the sector. Read more ...

Legal challenges against Heathrow expansion filed in High Court over environmental and climate concerns | Heathrow Airport,Greenpeace,Friends of the Earth,Heathrow Hub
Legal challenges against Heathrow expansion filed in High Court over environmental and climate concerns
Tue 14 Aug 2018 - Lawyers acting for a consortium of local authorities have issued judicial review proceedings in the High Court against the UK's Transport Secretary over the expansion of Heathrow Airport. The five councils claim the government's Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), which sets out support for the project to add a third runway, fails to properly deal with the impact on air quality, climate change, noise and surface access, and was a flawed consultation process. The challenge is also supported by the Mayor of London and Greenpeace. Lawyers acting for another environmental campaign group, Friends of the Earth (FoE), have also started formal legal action at the High Court on the basis that allowing the building of a new runway is unlawful as it fails to address the UK's climate change obligations. Read more ...

Airspace efficiency improvements by NATS and FABEC states result in lower fuel burn and emissions for airlines | NATS,FABEC
Airspace efficiency improvements by NATS and FABEC states result in lower fuel burn and emissions for airlines
Mon 13 Aug 2018 - UK air traffic services company NATS reports more than 200,000 tonnes of aircraft CO2 emissions were saved last year as a result of improvements from more fuel efficient ways of using UK airspace. NATS calculates the reduction has saved airlines more than £30 million ($38m) in annual fuel costs over the year and resulted in an overall cut of 6.4 per cent in CO2 per flight since 2008. Progress has been achieved by using more direct routes and improved vertical profiles, the use of continuous instead of stepped climbs and descents, and the introduction of new air traffic management technologies. Meanwhile, almost 13,000 tonnes of airline CO2 emissions have been saved as a result of seasonal arrangements between six European air navigation service providers (ANSPs) in charge of the FABEC airspace. Read more ...

Finnair study finds travelling public would pay extra to reduce environmental impact of flights | Finnair
Finnair study finds travelling public would pay extra to reduce environmental impact of flights
Mon 13 Aug 2018 - According to a consumer research study by Finnair, almost all Finns - 94 per cent - want to reduce the emissions from their air travel and three-quarters are willing to pay extra as part of the ticket price, but want the charge to be used directly for environmental purposes. Respondents supported the use of biofuels (55 per cent) and carbon capture (28 per cent) from forests and other biomass as the best alternatives for reducing the environmental impacts of flying. Only 11 per cent, however, were in favour of a tax on flights, with 73 per cent responding such a tax should not be introduced if the proceeds could not be directly attributed to environmental efforts. The study also showed the majority of Finns were unaware of international market mechanisms to address aviation emissions. Read more ...

UK government announces major funding for green aerospace R&D and backing for sustainable aviation fuels
Wed 18 July 2018 - Following recent grants awarded to two projects developing potential commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production, the UK government has pledged £343 million ($448m) public and industry investment for R&D into cleaner and quieter civil aircraft. The government says a principle aim is for the UK to be at the forefront of the revolution in electric and hybrid planes, with £255 million going towards 18 new research and technology projects. A major beneficiary will be the E-Fan X project under development by Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens. Meanwhile, delegates from government, aerospace, fuel specialists, airlines and academia took part in a conference in Birmingham last week to seek out collaborative opportunities for a future UK sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry.  Read more ...

A new generation of supersonic commercial aircraft could have high environmental consequences, says ICCT study | ICCT,SST,Boom,Aerion,Spike
A new generation of supersonic commercial aircraft could have high environmental consequences, says ICCT study
Tue 17 July 2018 - The last commercial supersonic flight took place 15 years ago with the final grounding of the Anglo-French Concorde due to poor economics, unviable fuel efficiency and noise bans. However, the revival of passenger supersonic transport aircraft (SST) may be just seven years away as three US start-up companies develop a new generation of civil aircraft to fill a void in a market they believe still exists. Aerion and Spike, aimed at business jet operators, and Boom, with a commercial airliner capable of carrying up to 55 passengers, have the backing of a number of major aerospace manufacturers. Boom claims to have options from five airlines, including Japan Airlines and Virgin. Although the three say they can overcome the fuel and noise drawbacks of Concorde, a new paper by ICCT expects them to exceed existing international standards on aircraft pollution, noise and CO2 emissions. Read more ...

SAS pledges to use renewable jet fuels on all domestic flights by 2030 and partners with Swedish oil refiner Preem | SAS,Preem
SAS pledges to use renewable jet fuels on all domestic flights by 2030 and partners with Swedish oil refiner Preem
Fri 13 July 2018 - Scandinavian airline SAS has signed a letter of intent with Swedish petroleum company Preem to produce renewable aviation fuels using forestry residues and other waste materials. SAS has set a target to replace all its jet fuel used on domestic flights with biofuel by 2030. With refineries in Gothenburg and Lysekil, Preem refines and sells petroleum products to companies and consumers in Sweden and abroad, and is one of the country's biggest exporters. SAS says it has adopted a strategy to reduce its emissions and climate impact on a long-term basis and if the collaboration with Preem progresses then the two partners expect to agree a long-term jet biofuel supply contract. SAS has also announced that backdated to April 1, it will compensate CO2 emissions generated by customers flying on its Youth Tickets. Read more ...

Eurocontrol report highlights action needed by aviation industry to deal with impacts of climate change | Eurocontrol,adaptation
Eurocontrol report highlights action needed by aviation industry to deal with impacts of climate change
Tue 10 July 2018 - Climate change will damage aviation infrastructure, alter patterns of passenger demand and lead to more operational disruption, yet only half of industry organisations have begun to plan for this, says a Eurocontrol report looking at challenges facing commercial aviation in Europe between now and 2040. Under a 'most likely' scenario, the number of flights within Europe could grow at a rate of 1.9 per cent per year to reach 16.2 million flights a year by 2040, or 53 per cent higher than today. However, Europe is already struggling to cope with existing levels of traffic and a lack of airport capacity will lead to even higher delays and 1.5 million unaccommodated flights per year by 2040. As well as a capacity challenge, a future climate with changes to temperatures, rainfall, wind and storm patterns, and the sea level requires industry to move faster with adaptation, says the intergovernmental air traffic management body. Read more ...

China refutes reports it has withdrawn from the voluntary phases of CORSIA although its concerns remain | China,CORSIA
China refutes reports it has withdrawn from the voluntary phases of CORSIA although its concerns remain
Sat 7 July 2018 – Reports that China has withdrawn from the voluntary pilot and first phases of CORSIA, the global carbon offsetting scheme for international aviation, are inaccurate, a representative of China's delegation to ICAO has told GreenAir. He said China had yet to make a decision on whether to join CORSIA from the beginning and had been surprised that ICAO had continued to list it on the ICAO CORSIA website as an early participant without consultation. With the recent adoption by the ICAO Council of the CORSIA SARPs, China noted action had now been taken by ICAO to correct the listing. However, said the representative, China has concerns over the direction of CORSIA discussions and reserved its right under the Chicago Convention to take further action, including filing a difference to the SARPs. Read more ...

Gatwick and Lyon airports step up energy initiatives to maintain carbon neutral status | Gatwick Airport,Lyon-Saint Exupéry,Haven Power,Vinci Airports
Gatwick and Lyon airports step up energy initiatives to maintain carbon neutral status
Fri 6 July 2018 - Following its recent certification renewal as a carbon-neutral airport under the industry's Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, London's Gatwick Airport has signed a new three-year deal with Haven Power to continue supplies of 100 per cent renewable electricity. This follows a previous five-year agreement that is credited as a major factor in achieving the carbon-neutral status for the UK's second-largest airport. With electricity accounting for 75 per cent of the ground operations carbon footprint, Gatwick says it is on course for reaching its renewable energy target of 25 per cent by 2020. Meanwhile, the stabilising of its electricity consumption in spite of a 40 per cent increase in the number of passengers has helped enable Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to renew its carbon-neutral status under the programme. Read more ...

LanzaTech bags second advanced jet fuel grant from UK government for a first commercial-scale ATJ facility | RTFO,LanzaTech
LanzaTech bags second advanced jet fuel grant from UK government for a first commercial-scale ATJ facility
Wed 4 July 2018 - Alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel technology company LanzaTech has secured a £410,000 ($540,000) grant from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to help with project development funding for building the world's first large-scale ATJ facility producing commercial quantities of low carbon jet fuel in the UK. The grant from the DfT's Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition is for a similar amount awarded to the Velocys/British Airways municipal solid waste to jet fuel project that was announced recently. With its airline partner Virgin Atlantic and others, LanzaTech is planning a 40-50 million litres per year plant that would convert ethanol produced from waste industrial gases into jet fuel. Earlier this year, ethanol was added to ASTM's specification for ATJ synthetic paraffinic kerosene. Read more ...

ICAO reaches key stage in CORSIA implementation with adoption of SARPs but challenges remain over sustainability criteria | CORSIA
ICAO reaches key stage in CORSIA implementation with adoption of SARPs but challenges remain over sustainability criteria
Thu 28 June 2018 - ICAO's governing 36-State Council has adopted standards and rules for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) that come into effect from next year. The scheme, which aims to cap net emissions from 2020, starts with a pilot phase in 2021 but airlines and other aircraft operators with annual CO2 emissions above 10,000 tonnes will have to measure and report their emissions from 1 January 2019 so a baseline can be established. The aviation industry said the adoption was a key step in CORSIA implementation but added important decisions were still required on sustainability criteria for offsets and alternative fuels eligible under the scheme. In a last-minute controversial decision, the Council agreed to extend the definition of sustainable aviation fuels under CORSIA to include lower carbon fossil-based fuels. (Updated 29 JuneRead more ...

British Airways waste-to-fuels project with Velocys secures £4.9m funding including a UK government grant | British Airways,Velocys,RTFO,Solena
British Airways waste-to-fuels project with Velocys secures £4.9m funding including a UK government grant
Fri 22 June 2018 - The British Airways municipal solid waste (MSW) to jet fuel project with renewable fuels company Velocys has secured funding totalling £4.9 million ($6.6m) to deliver the next development phase. The package includes a grant of £434,000 ($580,000) from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) under the Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition. UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the project had the potential to transform the aviation industry by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. The remainder of the funding has been committed by the project’s two partners and Shell. The next phase, expected to be completed in early 2019, will include a detailed pre-front end engineering and design (FEED) study and identification of a potential site for the production plant. Read more ...

London Gatwick adds carbon neutrality renewal with new accreditation to zero waste Carbon Trust standard | London Gatwick Airport,Carbon Trust,Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick adds carbon neutrality renewal with new accreditation to zero waste Carbon Trust standard
Fri 22 June 2018 - Just recertified as a carbon neutral airport through measures including 100 per cent renewable electricity and Gold Standard carbon credits, London Gatwick has become the first airport to achieve a Zero Waste to Landfill accreditation from the Carbon Trust. The standard was launched in November 2016 to recognise an organisation's achievements in reducing its environmental impact through actively diverting non-hazardous waste streams from landfill. Other recent initiatives by the airport include installing 100 per cent energy efficient LED lights on the runway and introducing financial incentives for airlines using quieter aircraft. Gatwick has just published its annual Decade of Change report that monitors progress in 2017 against 10 sustainability targets. Read more ...

Four more European airports become carbon neutral as Amsterdam Schiphol takes industry eco-innovation award | ACI Europe,Airport Carbon Accreditation
Four more European airports become carbon neutral as Amsterdam Schiphol takes industry eco-innovation award
Thu 21 June 2018 - Four airports - Brussels, London Stansted, Rome Ciampino and Treviso - have joined 30 other European airports as carbon neutral certified under the airport industry's Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The highest of four levels in the programme, to reach neutrality airports have to reduce emissions under their direct control as much as possible and offset the remaining residual emissions. The industry trade association ACI Europe has set a target of having 100 carbon neutral airports in Europe by 2030. At its annual Best Airport Awards this week, carbon neutral Amsterdam Schiphol won the Eco-Innovation Award for its outstanding environmental performance and innovative approaches to environmental management. At ACI Europe's annual meeting in Brussels, Dr Michael Kerkloh, its President and also CEO of Munich Airport, said sustainability was the next frontier in the industry's evolution. Read more ...

Industry urges adoption of CORSIA MRV rules and rapid progress on offset eligibility and sustainable fuels criteria | CORSIA
Industry urges adoption of CORSIA MRV rules and rapid progress on offset eligibility and sustainable fuels criteria
Wed 20 June 2018 - Aviation industry representatives have urged members of the governing ICAO Council to adopt the rules necessary for the implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The 214th Session of the 36-State Council is currently taking place in Montreal and is due to consider the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) before the meeting finishes next week. Since the agreement to implement the scheme was reached by all ICAO Member States at their Assembly in late 2016 (A39-3), this June session has been identified as crucial for the adoption of monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) rules that affect every airline in the world with annual CO2 emissions from international flights above 10,000 tonnes. These operators are expected to submit emissions monitoring plans before the end of this September and then start monitoring their CO2 emissions from 1 January 2019. Read more ...

Sustainable aviation fuels incentive under new EU renewable energy directive not enough, says IATA | RED,Renewable Energy Directive
Sustainable aviation fuels incentive under new EU renewable energy directive not enough, says IATA
Tue 19 June 2018 – The EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission have agreed a new post-2020 regulatory framework that includes an EU-wide binding renewable energy target for 2030 of 32 per cent with a 14 per cent target for transport energy. The current Renewable Energy Directive (RED I) sets a 2020 target for 20 per cent consumption but more ambition is required if climate commitments to the Paris Agreement targets are to be met, says the Commission. The new directive, RED II, includes reference to a contribution of aviation and marine fuels from renewable sources towards meeting the target, and aims to provide an added incentive for the supply of sustainable aviation fuels in the EU. However, IATA has expressed disappointment that the incentive does not go far enough. Read more ...

Oil giant Shell commits to sustainable aviation fuels as it enters long-term collaboration with SkyNRG | Shell Aviation,SkyNRG
Oil giant Shell commits to sustainable aviation fuels as it enters long-term collaboration with SkyNRG
Tue 5 June 2018 - Once criticised for a lack of enthusiasm towards sustainable fuels for aviation, the global oil giants are now sensing an opportunity to meet a worldwide demand from the aviation sector for such fuels. Total and BP have already made significant investments in the field and now Shell has agreed a long-term strategic collaboration with Dutch sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplier SkyNRG. The multi-year partnership will bring together Shell Aviation's technical and commercial expertise, global supply chain and carbon management operations with SkyNRG's long track record and in-depth knowledge of the SAF market. The two parties stress their long-term commitment to developing opportunities and solutions for low-carbon aviation fuels. They say the initiative will be structurally supported by a joint business development fund. Read more ...

Airline industry urged to prepare for monitoring carbon emissions as CORSIA nears adoption | IATA AGM Sydney
Airline industry urged to prepare for monitoring carbon emissions as CORSIA nears adoption
Tue 5 June 2018 - With less than seven months before CO2 monitoring requirements under ICAO's CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme come into force, the cross-industry Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) has reminded airlines and business aircraft operators of the urgent need to prepare. Although the voluntary pilot phase doesn't start until 2021, all operators with international services - regardless of whether the country the operator is registered has agreed to join from the start - must start monitoring their CO2 emissions from 1 January 2019. A major reason for this is so a baseline of global emissions from international flights can be established for future carbon offsetting obligations. A lower baseline, which is fixed until the end of the scheme in 2035, as a result of a failure by operators to report emissions could lead to higher offsetting costs for the industry as a whole. Read more ...

Global CO2 emissions from airlines expected to rise 4.4% this year as fuel consumption continues to grow | IATA AGM Sydney
Global CO2 emissions from airlines expected to rise 4.4% this year as fuel consumption continues to grow
Mon 4 June 2018 - Carbon emissions from airlines are forecast by IATA to grow to 897 million tonnes (Mt) in 2018 as a result of an historically high fuel consumption of 94 billion US gallons. This is an upward forecast from the industry association in December 2017 when it estimated carbon missions would reach 874 Mt from a lower fuel consumption. Its new forecast would represent a 4.4 per cent increase on 2017 emissions of 859 Mt. Against a backdrop of increasing oil prices, IATA forecasts the airline industry will spend $188 billion on its fuel in 2018, or around 24.2 per cent of its overall expenses, up from 21.4 per cent in 2017. Speaking at the opening of its annual general meeting in Sydney, IATA DG Alexandre de Juniac urged more governments to join the ICAO CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme from the start in 2020 as well as support the implementation of sustainable aviation fuels. Read more ...

Initiative launched to encourage adoption of sustainable jet fuels by business aviation | EBAA,NBAA,IBAC,NATA,GAMA,EBACE
Initiative launched to encourage adoption of sustainable jet fuels by business aviation
Fri 1 June 2018 - The business aviation sector has come together to raise awareness and encourage adoption by business aircraft owners, operators and fuel suppliers of sustainable alternative jet fuels (SJAF). At the centre of the initiative is a guide to explain and promote the benefits of such fuels that has been put together by a coalition of the sector's trade associations. It was released this week at the EBACE event in Geneva when industry leaders signed a commitment to redouble efforts to reduce their sector's environmental footprint and in particular to focus on SJAF development and uptake. The 'Business Aviation Guide to the Use of Sustainable Aviation Jet Fuel' explains the science behind the fuels, why they are safe to use in business jets and why operators should adopt them. Read more ...

EU backs industrial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production project and Camelina cultivation research | BIO4A,RE-CORD,Camelina,Total
EU backs industrial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production project and Camelina cultivation research
Wed 30 May 2018 - A new EU-backed project has been launched to demonstrate the first industrial-scale production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Europe. The four-year BIO4A initiative will also investigate the potential of reclaiming dry marginal land at risk of desertification in the Mediterranean region for cultivating the Camelina crop as biomass for producing SAF. BIO4A (Advanced Sustainable Biofuels for Aviation) has received funding from the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and will be coordinated by the Italian research organisation RE-CORD, which is located at the University of Florence. Organisations from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium will take part. SAF made from lipids such as used cooking oil will be produced at Total's remodelled La Mède biorefinery in France.  Read more ...

Fulcrum BioEnergy breaks ground on 10.5 million gallon waste to jet fuel Sierra plant | Fulcrum BioEnergy
Fulcrum BioEnergy breaks ground on 10.5 million gallon waste to jet fuel Sierra plant
Fri 18 May 2018 - Waste-to-fuels company Fulcrum BioEnergy has broken ground on its Sierra BioFuels Plant in McCarran, Nevada, that is to supply airlines with around 10.5 million gallons of fuel each year when commercial operations start in the first quarter of 2020. Sierra will be the first commercial-scale plant in the United States converting municipal solid waste (MSW) that would otherwise have been sent to landfill into low-carbon renewable transport fuel. Utilising Fulcrum's proprietary thermochemical process, Sierra will convert around 175,000 tons of household garbage annually. The company is planning similar plants sited near large metropolitan areas where it has already secured long-term supplies of feedstock, fuel logistics and fuel offtake agreements.  Read more ...

Air BP enters into airport and business aviation initiatives to offset flight emissions | BP Target Neutral,Air BP,Teruel Airport.Avantto
Air BP enters into airport and business aviation initiatives to offset flight emissions
Fri 18 May 2018 - Air BP has announced carbon offsetting initiatives with an airport in Spain and a business aviation company in Brazil. To mark the fifth anniversary of Teruel Airport, all carbon emissions related to Jet-A1 and Avgas 100LL aviation fuel supplied by Air BP during May will be offset through BP's Target Neutral programme that invests in carbon reduction projects around the world. The carbon emissions related to the use of all aviation fuels supplied by Air BP to Brazilian aircraft management company Avantto Aircraft Administration for the next 12 months will be offset through BP Target Neutral. The programme has offset 3.17 million tonnes of CO2e during its 11 years of operation. Read more ...

Two new European projects get off the ground to investigate conversion of forestry residues to jet fuel | KLM,SkyNRG,Global Bioenergies
Two new European projects get off the ground to investigate conversion of forestry residues to jet fuel
Thu 17 May 2018 - To mark the introduction of a new daily flight between Amsterdam and Växjö Småland Airport, KLM has announced it will invest in 120,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) per year for use on all flights to and from the destination in southern Sweden. The purchase represents a 5 per cent use of SAF on flights but KLM pledges to make it the airline's most sustainable route by joining with the airport to buy offsets for the remaining carbon emissions. In addition, KLM and sustainable aviation fuel provider SkyNRG will partner with Växjö airport, the city authority and Sweden's largest cooperative of forest owners, Södra, to conduct a feasibility study for local SAF production. Meanwhile, following an EU grant of €13.9 million ($16.4m), SkyNRG is also to participate in an industrial consortium that aims to convert softwood residues into gasoline and jet fuel. The project will be led by France's Global Bioenergies. Read more ...

New Boeing 737 MAX helps LOT Polish Airlines' steep climb in Heathrow's noise league table | Heathrow Airport
New Boeing 737 MAX helps LOT Polish Airlines' steep climb in Heathrow's noise league table
Thu 17 May 2018 - When Heathrow Airport first started its Fly Quiet league table in 2013 of the top 50 busiest airlines serving the London hub, LOT Polish Airlines was its poorest performer. Having switched this year to operating new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on its Heathrow services, the carrier has leapt into second place in the latest league table for the period January to March 2018. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), meanwhile, continues to lead the field based on seven noise metrics and, as a result of an extension to the programme, other emission metrics. The airport has also announced the start of a public consultation on a new five-year Noise Action Plan. It is also pushing ahead with plans and investment to improve local air quality at the airport in a switch to electric powered vehicles and ground support equipment. Heathrow now claims to have the highest density of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe. Read more ...

Virgin Atlantic makes gains on emissions reductions and fuel efficiency improvements as new aircraft join fleet | Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic makes gains on emissions reductions and fuel efficiency improvements as new aircraft join fleet
Mon 14 May 2018 - Carbon emissions from Virgin Atlantic's aircraft fleet were reduced by 2.5 per cent in 2017 to just under 4 million tonnes of CO2, the lowest since they peaked at nearly 5.2 million tonnes in 2007, when the airline started its 'Change is in the Air' sustainability programme. Fuel efficiency improved by 1.8 per cent compared to the previous year - so exceeding the IATA industry 1.5 per cent goal - to reach 0.711 kg CO2 per revenue tonne kilometre (CO2/RTK). The airline has a target to reduce aircraft CO2/RTK by 30 per cent by 2020 from the 2007 baseline. It attributes the drop in emissions to a small reduction in the flying programme and the ongoing fleet renewal of replacing four-engine aircraft with more fuel efficient twin-engine alternatives.  Read more ...

Airport and airlines agree plan to replace 10% of jet fuel at Sea-Tac with sustainable alternatives by 2028 | Port of Seattle,Seattle-Tacoma
Airport and airlines agree plan to replace 10% of jet fuel at Sea-Tac with sustainable alternatives by 2028
Thu 10 May 2018 - A work plan involving the collaboration of 13 US and international airlines has been agreed to provide all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) with access to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They will work to meet a timetable approved by the Port of Seattle Commission last December that aims for a minimum 10 per cent of sustainable jet fuel to be produced locally from sustainable sources within 10 years, increasing to 50 per cent by 2050. With airlines at Sea-Tac projected to use around 700 million gallons of jet fuel per year, a 10 per cent replacement would save 682,500 metric tons of GHG emissions, says the Port. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Port and the airlines formalises a commitment to develop a strategic plan to reach the first 2028 goal. Read more ...

UK industry network seeks interested parties for potential sustainable aviation fuels collaboration with the USA | SAF SIG,ASCENT,CAAFI
UK industry network seeks interested parties for potential sustainable aviation fuels collaboration with the USA
Thu 10 May 2018 - UK businesses are being approached to take part in a joint mission to the United States later in the year to seek opportunities for collaboration in the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The mission is being coordinated by the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Special Interest Group (SAF SIG), an initiative of the UK's Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) that was set up last year with the support of government and industry to accelerate the domestic production of SAF. Working with the Science and Innovation Network in the US, KTN will facilitate meetings with officials from the ASCENT alternative jet fuels programme and the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI). The mission also incorporates attendance at CAAFI's biennial general meeting in December. Read more ...

Alberta trade delegation flies to California on an Air Canada A320 powered by biofuel | Air Canada,Edmonton International Airport
Alberta trade delegation flies to California on an Air Canada A320 powered by biofuel
Tue 8 May 2018 - A trade delegation led by the Alberta government has flown from Edmonton to San Francisco on an Air Canada Airbus A320-200 flight powered by biofuel. According to the airline, which also partnered with Edmonton International Airport on the initiative, the use of biofuel cut the flight's carbon emissions by over 10 tonnes, representing an overall 20 per cent reduction in net emissions. Alberta contains nearly all of Canada's controversial oil sands and much of its conventional oil reserves but is looking to wean the province off its dependence on the fossil fuel economy and attract foreign investment. For Air Canada, the flight follows closely on another recent initiative that saw biofuel being co-mingled with Toronto-Pearson's conventional jet fuel supply to coincide with Earth Day. Read more ...

Swedish airline passengers to pay up to $47 more as a result of new green tax on flights | Sweden
Swedish airline passengers to pay up to $47 more as a result of new green tax on flights
Apr 2018 - As of April 1, a new eco tax on air travel has come into force in Sweden that will add 60 kronor ($7) to the cost of domestic flights and flights within the EU, while flights to countries outside the EU but not travelling further than 6,000kms will cost 250 kronor ($29) more. Passengers on long-haul flights of more than 6,000kms will pay an additional 400 kronor ($47) on their tickets. Brought in by the minority Green Party in the coalition Swedish government, the tax has been opposed by other political parties and sharply criticised by airlines. However, a poll last month in a Swedish newspaper showed a small majority (53 per cent) of the respondents supported the tax compared to 44 per cent when the same poll was carried out a year ago. The government said it was unfair for the most environmentally damaging method of transport to escape such a tax. Read more ...

ICAO and UNDP solar-at-gate airport pilot project launched at Jamaica's Norman Manley International | UNDP,GEF,Jamaica,solar-at-gate
ICAO and UNDP solar-at-gate airport pilot project launched at Jamaica's Norman Manley International
Thu 26 Apr 2018 - A collaborative initiative involving ICAO and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has been launched at Jamaica's Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston that will provide renewable power to aircraft gate facilities. The project, with a further facility on the Caribbean island to be added, involves the installation of gate electrification equipment, along with a solar power generation facility. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of a parking lot and the energy generated covers the full power requirement for aircraft operations at one gate. Funding for the project has come from the Global Environment Facility and the intention is to replicate it globally, at a larger scale and in particular to airports in all Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It would bring both environmental benefits and help the economic sustainability of such airports because of the high cost of energy in their operations, says ICAO. Read more ...

Air Canada, Red Rock and SkyNRG move forward on biofuel initiatives while Air New Zealand takes longer view | Air Canada,GARDN,Red Rock Biofuels,Global Bioenergies,Air New Zealand,SkyNRG
Air Canada, Red Rock and SkyNRG move forward on biofuel initiatives while Air New Zealand takes longer view
Thu 26 Apr 2018 - As part of a Canadian biofuel demonstration project, Air Canada has blended 230,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into Toronto-Pearson Airport's multi-user, co-mingled airport fuel supply system. Carbon savings from the fuel were accredited to Air Canada domestic flights from Toronto that took place last Sunday, Earth Day. In other aviation biofuel news, Colorado-based Red Rock Biofuels has finally received the green light to construct a renewable energy biofuels plant in Oregon. The company has offtake agreements in place with FedEx and Southwest Airlines. Meanwhile, SkyNRG has announced it is to collaborate with Global Bioenergies on ASTM certification of an isobutene feedstock and conversion process for the production of sustainable aviation fuel. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Christopher Luxon has said large-scale commercialisation of SAF is a decade away after a search for suitable biofuel partners had so far proved elusive. Read more ...

Fuel-saving initiatives and fleet renewal at Etihad enable 3.3 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions last year | Etihad
Fuel-saving initiatives and fleet renewal at Etihad enable 3.3 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions last year
Wed 25 Apr 2018 - Etihad Airways reduced the fuel consumption of its fleet by over 62,000 tonnes in 2017 compared with the previous year, representing a saving of 195,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and a 3.3 per cent improvement. It reports efficiency per passenger kilometre improved by as much as 36 per cent on some routes. At an average age of 5.4 years, the 115-strong passenger and cargo fleet is one of the industry's youngest and last year Etihad retired several older aircraft in favour of the fuel-efficient Boeing 787, which brings the number of Dreamliners in the fleet to 19. To further add efficiency, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier has made a number of operational improvements, including flight plan adjustments and more continuous descent approaches. Read more ...

IMO steals a march on ICAO by agreeing a long-term strategy to reduce the shipping sector's international GHG emissions
IMO steals a march on ICAO by agreeing a long-term strategy to reduce the shipping sector's international GHG emissions
Tue 24 Apr 2018 - Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the sister UN agency of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), have adopted an initial strategy on the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. Reaching a global consensus on climate action has proved as contentious for IMO as it has for ICAO since the two agencies were handed the responsibility for limiting or reducing international GHG emissions from their respective sectors in the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997. A dispute between countries on the level of ambition in reducing emissions was resolved at a meeting of IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 72) in London attended by over 100 countries. The strategy aims to reduce annual GHG emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2050 compared to 2008 and pursue efforts towards phasing them out entirely. Some believe this now moves IMO ahead of ICAO on a path to fulfil the global climate ambitions of the Paris Agreement. Read more ...

Private jet charter company Victor teams with Air BP to launch carbon offset programme for aircraft operators | BP Target Neutral,Victor,Air BP,GlobeAir
Private jet charter company Victor teams with Air BP to launch carbon offset programme for aircraft operators
Mon 16 Apr 2018 - Fast-growing private jet charter business Victor, in collaboration with Air BP and BP Target Neutral, has opened its carbon offset programme to operators and customers following a trial phase. Over half of Victor and Air BP's 20 biggest operator customers have already signed up to the initiative, which is expanding during this year to a fully-fledged programme, with Austria's GlobeAir among the early adopters. Over three-quarters of Victor's customers opted into the scheme have received quotes for flights where carbon emissions for the fuel used will be offset through projects in BP Target Neutral's global portfolio. The partners say it is an early opportunity for aircraft operators to take action on emissions with CORSIA deadlines on the horizon. Victor is also aiming to use carbon-neutral fuel for all flights by 2020. Read more ...

ASTM approval of ethanol-based renewable jet fuels a green light for LanzaTech and Byogy | Byogy,LanzaTech,ASTM,Gevo
ASTM approval of ethanol-based renewable jet fuels a green light for LanzaTech and Byogy
Fri 13 Apr 2018 - Global standards body ASTM International has completed its revision of alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel specifications that will enable jet fuel to be produced from ethanol, so paving the way for renewable jet fuel from technology companies LanzaTech and Byogy to be used on commercial flights. Under ASTM's ballot procedure, various technical committees have agreed to add ethanol as an approved feedstock in ASTM D7566 Annex A5, the standard specification for aviation turbine fuel containing synthesised hydrocarbons for ATJ synthetic paraffinic kerosene (ATJ-SPK). Isobutanol-derived jet fuel was the first ATJ-SPK to be specified under Annex A5 two years ago, which allowed Gevo's renewable jet fuel product to be used in commercial airline operations in blends permitted up to 30 per cent. The latest revision to the annex also lifts the blend ratio limit for ATJ-SPK fuels to 50 per cent. Read more ...

Canadian green aerospace R&D collaboration GARDN joins biofuels sustainability standards body RSB | GARDN,RSB
Canadian green aerospace R&D collaboration GARDN joins biofuels sustainability standards body RSB
Wed 11 Apr 2018 – Canada's Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN), a non-profit organisation that brings together government, academia and the aerospace industry to develop technologies and processes to lessen the sector's environmental impact, has joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). GARDN is a part of the Canadian government's 'Business-Led Networks of Centers of Excellence' programme and has a number of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects in place. It says membership of RSB, with its best-in-class sustainability standard, is "an ideal fit" in tackling the challenges of developing biofuel supply chains. Read more ...

American Carbon Registry honours Airlines for America with environmental award for its ICAO CORSIA role | American Carbon Registry,GreenTrees,Winrock International
American Carbon Registry honours Airlines for America with environmental award for its ICAO CORSIA role
Apr 2018 - Trade association Airlines for America (A4A) has been presented with the annual 'Commitment to Quality' environmental achievement award by the American Carbon Registry (ACR) for "helping to shape the ICAO GHG emissions reduction programme and offsetting mechanism for airlines in a way that ensures quality, rigour and transparency." The non-profit enterprise of Winrock International, ACR oversees the registration and verification of carbon offset projects in both the voluntary carbon market and California's regulated carbon market, as well as operating an electronic registry system. Announcing the award, ACR lauded A4A's critical role in supporting the ICAO agreement on the CORSIA carbon offset scheme for international aviation and the development of its implementing provisions.  Read more ...

World Energy acquires AltAir's world-first commercial scale renewable jet fuel refinery | AltAir,World Energy
World Energy acquires AltAir's world-first commercial scale renewable jet fuel refinery
Mar 2018 - Boston-based World Energy has acquired Delek US Holdings' interests in renewable jet fuel and renewable diesel producer AltAir Paramount in California for a reported $72 million. The purchase includes the Paramount refinery, the world's first to supply renewable jet fuel on a commercial scale for customers such as United Airlines, Air Canada, Qantas and others. It produces in the region of 35 million gallons per year of renewable jet. "Supported by the frameworks of the national renewable fuel standard and California's Low Carbon Fuels Standard programmes, AltAir converted a struggling petroleum refinery to one of the country's most important renewable fuel refineries, while preserving and converting approximately 100 jobs to the green economy," said Bryan Sherbacow, AltAir's co-founder.  Read more ...

Sweden's Braathens Regional Airlines to offer passengers the option to book biofuel flights | Braathens
Sweden's Braathens Regional Airlines to offer passengers the option to book biofuel flights
Mar 2018 - From April 8, passengers flying with Braathens Regional Airlines will have the option to pay an extra fee of 300 Swedish krona ($36) per flight to enable the carrier to fly on biofuel. After a flight and depending on the number of passengers that paid the supplement, the plane is refuelled with the appropriate amount of biofuel, which is being supplied by Air BP, and is based on a fixed cost equivalent to an average flight time of one hour. "Since 2017, we have offered this biofuel opportunity to businesses only – now it's possible for everyone. This is an important step towards our goal of becoming fossil-free by the end of 2030." This month, the airline joined the government's Fossil Free Sweden initiative. In February 2017, Braathens flew its first biofuel flight that also marked the first time an ATR turboprop had used a biofuel blend on a commercial flight. Read more ...

Heathrow launches UK competition to find green solutions for airports and aviation | Heathrow Airport
Heathrow launches UK competition to find green solutions for airports and aviation
Mar 2018 – Heathrow Airport has launched the Sustainable Innovation Prize for UK businesses and organisations to submit ideas and solutions on how to address the environmental challenges of airports and the aviation industry. The applications must fit one of three categories: waste as a resource; sustainable and low-carbon materials; and measuring and enhancing quality of life locally. Worth £20,000 ($27,000), the winner will be able to trial and develop their concept and the opportunity to use Heathrow’s operation and partners as a ‘live laboratory’. The entries will be reviewed for their maximum sustainability benefit, as well as likelihood of trial success and later implementation. The prize is part of the Heathrow 2.0 sustainable growth strategy launched a year ago and the airport’s ambitions to make it a ‘centre of excellence’ for aviation sustainability. Closing date for submissions is March 31. Read more ...

Portland International first US airport to use 100% recycled aircraft de-icing fluid | Portland International Jetport
Portland International first US airport to use 100% recycled aircraft de-icing fluid
Mar 2018 – Portland International Jetport in Maine has laid claim to being the first airport in the United States to use 100% recycled aircraft de-icing fluid. Provided by Inland Technologies and applied by Northeast Air, the local FBO, the new fluid is a culmination of three years of preparation and is said to meet all FAA safety requirements. Since Inland’s original facility opened six years ago, nearly six million gallons of used aircraft de-icing fluid has been collected to ensure it does not mix with storm water and has been processed to remove the glycol and other contaminants. Nearly one million gallons of pure glycol have been recovered in this time. “Having operated from this location for almost 50 years, we have actively participated in the evolution of de-icing technology,” reported Henry Laughlin, Northeast Air’s President. “Our introduction of AirFirst technology trucks significantly reduced the volume of glycol used in the overall process and our glycol blending system ensures minimal wastage. We have now completed the circle through the application of recycled glycol using the world’s most advanced de-icing equipment.” Read more ...

Italian free route airspace procedures saved 95,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2017 | ENAV
Italian free route airspace procedures saved 95,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2017
Mar 2018 - Free Route procedures implemented by Italian air navigation service provider (ANSP) ENAV led to savings of around 30,000 tonnes of fuel from flights over Italy in 2017, saving approximately 95,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The procedure - the first to be implemented by one of the larger European ANSPs, claims ENAV - permits aircraft flying over Italian airspace at an altitude exceeding 11,000 metres (36,000 feet) to choose a direct, shorter path without having to follow the route network. ENAV says as a result of the benefits, a number of new routes began crossing Italian airspace in 2017. It is now working on lowering the Free Route altitude to 9,000 metres (29,500 feet) by this summer, almost four years earlier than indicated in a European directive. “In order to deploy Free Route, we invested in technology and in training our air traffic controllers, who confirmed their strong professionalism,” said ENAV CEO Roberta Neri. Read more ...

Air Canada named as ATW's Eco-Airline of the Year for 2018 | Air Canada
Air Canada named as ATW's Eco-Airline of the Year for 2018
Feb 2018 - Industry magazine Air Transport World has named Air Canada as 2018 Eco-Airline of the Year among its annual airline industry awards. The judges cited the carrier's commitment to emissions reductions through supporting the development of alternative fuels and its numerous green programmes and partnerships, including being the first airline in the world to voluntarily join the World Bank's IMF Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition. "Air Canada has made sustainability central to its decision-making and business processes, and this includes acting responsibly with respect to the environment," said the airline's CEO Calin Rovinescu. "This award will further spur us on to the goals we have set for ourselves to continually improve our environmental performance." Its corporate sustainability report was recently named best in the transportation category by The Finance and Sustainability Initiative in its annual competition. Read more ...

Ethiopia to host RSB's first African aviation biofuel conference | RSB
Ethiopia to host RSB's first African aviation biofuel conference
Feb 2018 - Sustainability certification body the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is to hold its first African Aviation Biofuel Summit in Addis Ababa on March 20. Sponsored by Boeing, the event aims to bring together local, regional and international leaders from the aviation industry and government who are driving the development of sustainable aviation biofuels in the region. As well as sharing global experience and best practice, it will look at feedstock opportunities and biofuel production potential in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The RSB and WWF South Africa are expected to provide insight and expertise on sustainability and feedstocks. Other speakers will include representatives from IATA, Boeing, SkyNRG, LanzaTech, Ethiopian Airlines and national agencies. RSB is already cooperating with Boeing and South African Airways on an aviation biofuels project in South Africa. Read more ...

Lufthansa Cargo passes tougher ISO14001 environmental stringency test | Lufthansa Cargo,Jettainer
Lufthansa Cargo passes tougher ISO14001 environmental stringency test
Feb 2018 - Lufthansa Cargo has again been awarded ISO14001 environmental management certification, after being audited to the revised and stricter standard. The airline has been certified at all its German stations since 2010, with worldwide certification achieved in 2015. This was extended to its ULD subsidiary Jettainer, and another subsidiary, time:matters, is also now certified. "We worked together with the various departments to successfully implement the standard’s more stringent requirements with respect to risk determination, stakeholder orientation and life cycle assessment, including supplier management," said Bettina Jansen, Head of Environmental Management at Lufthansa Cargo. "As an airline, we have a special responsibility to our environment. We live up to this responsibility through our ambitious environmental targets, especially in areas of particular relevance, such as flight operations, cargo handling and infrastructure." Read more ...

Geneva and Galápagos airports certified as carbon neutral  | Airport Carbon Accreditation,ACA,Galapagos Ecological Airport,Geneva Airport
Geneva and Galápagos airports certified as carbon neutral
Jan 2018 - Geneva and Galápagos airports are the latest airports to be certified as carbon neutral under the industry's Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This brings the total number of carbon neutral airports for emissions under their control to 37, with Galápagos Ecological Airport in Ecuador becoming the first to reach this status in Latin America. “We are very encouraged by the fact that the learnings and the efficiencies achieved through their carbon management journey up to Level 3+ will ultimately be implemented by airports across the region,” commented ACI-LAC DG Javier Martinez Botacio. The airport has invested in carbon offsets funding biomass and cook stoves projects, purchased under the UNFCCC CDM and Gold Standard. In all, 211 airports across the world are now accredited at one of the four levels of the carbon programme, which was first launched in Europe in 2009. More details of ACI programme hereRead more ...

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands joins KLM's Corporate Biofuel Programme | KLM,SkyNRG
Air Traffic Control the Netherlands joins KLM's Corporate Biofuel Programme
Jan 2018 – Air Traffic Control the Netherlands has joined KLM’s Corporate Biofuel Programme, enabling it to compensate for the CO2 from staff business flights through the purchase of sustainable biofuels. “Our employees travel regularly outside the Netherlands to meet with our international partners. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands is delighted to be able to contribute to the sustainable development of the aviation sector by compensating for 100% of the CO2 emitted by our business flights with KLM. This is a great example of how we jointly facilitate aviation, in a sustainable way,” said CEO Michiel van Dorst. Other partners in the programme include Delft University of Technology, ABN AMRO, Accenture, FrieslandCampina, City of Amsterdam, Loyens & Loeff, Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, PGGM, and the Schiphol Group. Sourced through SkyNRG, the biofuels are produced from raw materials that do not have a negative impact on biodiversity and food production, says KLM. Read more ...

GE Aviation starts engine combustor testing of unblended Gevo ATJ renewable fuel | Gevo,CLEEN,GE Aviation
GE Aviation starts engine combustor testing of unblended Gevo ATJ renewable fuel
Jan 2018 – Engine manufacturer GE Aviation has started jet engine combustor testing using unblended renewable alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel produced by Gevo. The testing is part of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise Program (CLEEN) and is specifically designed to enable greater displacement of petroleum-based jet fuel by bio-based alternative products. Meanwhile, Gevo has announced cuts in staff and costs to improve cash flow but says it remains committed to increasing sales of its ATJ fuel. “In 2018, the goal is to obtain off-take agreements for our products that will support financing the Luverne Facility expansion,” said CEO Dr Patrick Gruber. “Concurrently, we are looking extensively into ways to extend our cash runway as far as possible to give us the time to land and negotiate these contracts properly.” Gevo’s ATJ was approved for commercial aviation use in 2016 and has been used in flights by Alaska Airlines and by eight other airlines on flights out of Chicago in November 2017. Read more ...

Imposing eligibility constraints on CORSIA offset credits could have significant impact on UN CDM, finds study | CORSIA,Carbon Market Watch,DEHSt,CDM
Imposing eligibility constraints on CORSIA offset credits could have significant impact on UN CDM, finds study
Thu 22 Mar 2018 - The UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is likely to be a primary source of carbon credits for airlines seeking to offset the industry’s growth in CO2 emissions post-2020 under ICAO's CORSIA. However, slow demand for the credits - known as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) - from registered CDM projects has led to a prolonged period of low prices, but the CORSIA scheme is likely to have a major impact on the market. A 2017 study estimated the potential demand for emission units at around 2.7 billion across the life of the scheme, which is due to run until 2035. A new analysis prepared for the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) finds that up to 3.8 billion new CERs could supply the market at prices below one euro per unit but recommends eligibility restrictions are required to drive up the price of CERs and incentivise new and vulnerable projects that could lead to real emission reductions. Read more ...

Boeing’s latest 777F ecoDemonstrator flight programme tests 100% biofuel use and turbulence detection | Boeing ecoDemonstrator,JAXA,Safran
Boeing’s latest 777F ecoDemonstrator flight programme tests 100% biofuel use and turbulence detection
Wed 21 Mar 2018 - Boeing is midway through its latest ecoDemonstrator flight programme that is testing more than 30 technologies aboard a FedEx-owned 777 freighter. Since 2012, the programme has tested more than 55 technologies using four commercial aircraft as flying test beds, with the aim of accelerating new technologies and processes that can reduce emissions and noise, improve airlines’ gate-to-gate efficiency and help meet other environmental goals. The 2018 programme is testing flight deck innovations, propulsion advancements, advanced materials, more efficient flight operations and clear-air turbulence detection. Most test flights are also being powered with 100 per cent paraffinic biofuel, the first time this has taken place using a commercial airliner. Boeing says the testing is to gather performance data and demonstrate drop-in fuel properties. Read more ...

IAG implements Honeywell fuel efficiency software across its airlines and reports 2.6% fuel burn improvement | IAG,Willie Walsh,Honeywell,GoDirect Flight Efficiency
IAG implements Honeywell fuel efficiency software across its airlines and reports 2.6% fuel burn improvement
Tue 20 Mar 2018 - International Airlines Group (IAG) is installing fuel efficiency software to help reduce fuel burn and emissions across its airlines - Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL. Honeywell's GoDirect Fuel Efficiency software will provide flight data on fuel consumption to help analyse aircraft performance and monitor efficiency initiatives. "We have a strong track record in identifying and implementing initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions," commented Willie Walsh, IAG's Chief Executive. "This technology will allow our airlines to further optimise their fuel consumption and share best practice across the Group." The group reports that it improved fuel and carbon efficiency by 2.6 per cent in 2017, so exceeding IATA's fuel efficiency target for the industry of an average annual improvement of 1.5 per cent. Read more ...

We must address climate change, says climate sceptic Michael O'Leary as Ryanair unveils green policy | Ryanair,Michael O'Leary
We must address climate change, says climate sceptic Michael O'Leary as Ryanair unveils green policy
Wed 14 Mar 2018 - Well-known for his pronouncements that climate change is a hoax, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary appears to have undergone a change of mind. In a foreword to Ryanair's new environmental policy document, he said aviation must play its role in addressing climate change and Europe's largest airline "is committed to leading the way." The airline supported the 2-degree ambition of the Paris climate agreement, he added, and also IATA's goal of reducing the sector’s net CO2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 against 2005 levels. He has targeted the airline to achieving an emissions performance 8 per cent better by 2030 than currently and 31 per cent better than the average of the four other biggest European airlines. The low-cost carrier has also pledged to eliminate all non-recyclable plastics within five years and is introducing a carbon offsetting option for passengers. Read more ...

LAM Mozambique and Kenya Airways host wildlife trafficking workshops for airline and airport staff | ROUTES,Trafficking,USAID,TRAFFIC,United for Wildlife
LAM Mozambique and Kenya Airways host wildlife trafficking workshops for airline and airport staff
Tue 13 Mar 2018 - Two workshops have been held in Maputo and Nairobi to train airline and airport staff on how they can help detect and stop illegal trafficking in wildlife products, such as ivory and rhino horn. Hosted by LAM Mozambique Airlines and Kenya Airways, the workshops were organised by ROUTES, a public-private partnership supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership brings together government agencies; international conservation, development and law enforcement organisations; and the transportation and logistics industry, including IATA. A report published by ROUTES last year estimated the illegal trade was worth over $20 billion worldwide and identified Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International as an important hub for trafficking. Over the next few months, ROUTES will be holding workshops in other trafficking hotspots Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia and Malaysia. Read more ...

EU accepts ICAO CORSIA rules package but has concerns over emissions units and sustainable fuels criteria | CORSIA SARPs
EU accepts ICAO CORSIA rules package but has concerns over emissions units and sustainable fuels criteria
Wed 7 Mar 2018 - The European Union has signalled its general acceptance of the ICAO CORSIA Package proposals that were sent to ICAO Member States for comment. The Package contains the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) technical rules for the international aviation carbon offsetting scheme that will apply to States and aeroplane operators from 2019. A letter to ICAO signed by Filip Cornelis, Director of Aviation at the European Commission's transport directorate, says that while the EU "is not completely satisfied" with elements of the package, in the interests of reaching and maintaining ICAO agreement, the EU endorsed the consensus reached by the governing ICAO Council and strongly urged the adoption of the proposed package without further amendment. In its submission, the United States has also expressed support for the CORSIA package, although adding that if there is to be reconsideration of any elements then it has preferred edits of its own. (Article updatedRead more ...

Industry urges adoption of CORSIA technical rules without delay as ICAO consultation with States closes | CORSIA SARPs
Industry urges adoption of CORSIA technical rules without delay as ICAO consultation with States closes
Tue 6 Mar 2018 - The three-month consultation process with ICAO Member States on the technical rules for the implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) formally closed yesterday. Comments by States on the rules - the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) - will now be considered by ICAO's governing 36-State Council and also the UN agency's Air Navigation Commission, an independent SARPs advisory body to the Council. The final adoption of the SARPs by the Council is expected at its next formal session in June for application from 1 January 2019. The aviation industry has urged States to approve the SARPs without delay or amendments to give time for aircraft operators to be fully prepared for on-time implementation. Outstanding issues remain, however, on offset unit eligibility and the sustainability criteria on aviation biofuels under CORSIA. Read more ...

Airline group TUI plans sustainable fuel strategy as it takes delivery of first biofuel-powered Boeing 737 MAX | TUI
Airline group TUI plans sustainable fuel strategy as it takes delivery of first biofuel-powered Boeing 737 MAX
Mon 5 Mar 2018 - Holiday airline group TUI has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that was powered by a 30 per cent biofuel blend on its flight from the manufacturer in Seattle to Stockholm, where it joins TUI Nordic. This is the second MAX 8 to join the TUI fleet, the first delivered a month ago to TUI Belgium in Brussels, and form the initial deliveries of a large fleet renewal, with a total of 72 737 MAX 8 and MAX 10 aircraft to be added across the group by 2023. TUI says a more sustainable approach to aviation is an important part of its long-term strategy and aims to operate Europe's most carbon efficient airlines and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10 per cent by 2020. The group, which includes six airlines with around 150 modern medium and long-haul aircraft, is in the process of developing a sustainable alternative fuel development plan. Read more ...

EU-wide taxes on jet fuel and plane tickets could help plug budget gap and address transport climate impact, says T&E | T&E,
EU-wide taxes on jet fuel and plane tickets could help plug budget gap and address transport climate impact, says T&E
Fri 2 Mar 2018 - Taxing jet kerosene and applying a value added tax to plane tickets within Europe could raise €26.5 billion ($32bn) a year that could be used to plug an EU budget gap, reduce labour taxes and help meet climate targets, says a position paper by campaign group Transport & Environment. With the EU currently drafting its post-2020 budget and looking for alternative sources of revenue to make up for the UK's Brexit departure, this is an opportunity to raise revenue from transport for both EU and national budgets while helping to tackle rising emissions from the sector, argues T&E. It calls for reforms of the 2003 Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) and rescinding of the exemption for the taxation of aviation and marine fuels, and require jet fuels on domestic and intra-EU routes to be subject at least to the EU minimum rate of fuel tax, which is currently 33 euro cents per litre. Value added tax (VAT) should also be levied on airline tickets for domestic, intra-EU and even extra-EU flights, says the Brussels-based NGO. Read more ...

Projected sustainable aviation fuel uptake by 2025 could be doubled with government support, says IATA | Virgin Atlantic,LanzaTech,Alexandre de Juniac
Projected sustainable aviation fuel uptake by 2025 could be doubled with government support, says IATA
Tue 27 Feb 2018 - To coincide with the tenth anniversary of the first-ever biofuel flight, IATA has set out its aims for one billion passengers to fly on aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends by 2025, but only if supported by government policy. The demonstration flight in 2008 by a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 from London Heathrow to Amsterdam Schiphol used 500 gallons of biofuel sourced from coconut and babassu nut oils in the jet fuel blend. The flight showed the technical viability of using drop-in biofuels and since then the threshold of 100,000 SAF flights was passed in 2017, with IATA expecting one million flights during 2020. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic is expecting to carry out its first commercial biofuel flight later this year, pending approval of the waste gas to jet fuel product developed by its partner LanzaTech. Read more ...

Nepal's Yeti Airlines pledges to become carbon neutral as it develops partnership with UNDP | Yeti Airlines,UNDP,SDGs
Nepal's Yeti Airlines pledges to become carbon neutral as it develops partnership with UNDP
Thu 15 Feb 2018 - Following its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote UN Sustainable Development Goals, Nepalese domestic carrier Yeti Airlines is targeting carbon neutrality from this year. The airline, which operates a fleet of six BAe Jetstream 41s and took delivery of two ATR 72-500 aircraft in 2017, has published its first annual greenhouse gas inventory that was the focus of a workshop held recently in Kathmandu. Having measured emissions resulting from aircraft operations, vehicle use and ground facilities, a baseline has been established to monitor progress on carbon reduction efforts. The airline will purchase UN-certified credits to offset those emissions that it is unable to achieve in-house.  Read more ...

Qantas transpacific biofuel flight heralds future for farming of carinata oilseed crop in Australia | Agrisoma,Qantas,AltAir
Qantas transpacific biofuel flight heralds future for farming of carinata oilseed crop in Australia
Tue 13 Feb 2018 - The first commercial flight to use a biofuel blend between the United States and Australia has been undertaken by Qantas. Flying from Los Angeles to Melbourne, the Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated with around 24,000kg of blended biofuel processed from Brassica carinata, a non-food industrial oilseed crop developed by Canadian agricultural technology company Agrisoma Biosciences. Having previously looked at a number of potential sustainable aviation fuel pathways, the airline now believes its new partnership with Agrisoma will be a big step in the development of a renewable jet fuel industry in Australia. Water efficient and requiring no specialised production or processing techniques, field trials have shown carinata should do very well in the Australian climate, says Qantas. Agrisoma is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and last month AltAir Fuels, which produced the blend for the Qantas flight, was certified by the organisation. Read more ...

CORSIA adoption momentous but is just the start of the environmental long-term challenge, says airline chief | Aviation Carbon 2017,AC17
CORSIA adoption momentous but is just the start of the environmental long-term challenge, says airline chief
Mon 5 Feb 2018 - The adoption in 2016 by ICAO States of CORSIA had been momentous, IAG CEO Willie Walsh told the recent Aviation Carbon 2017 conference, and urged governments to support the international carbon offsetting scheme from the start and airlines to start preparing for its introduction. However, he said, it was just the beginning of the environmental challenge facing the industry and he foresaw the need for a market-based measure continuing well beyond CORSIA's planned end in 2035 as well as a step-change in aircraft technology and the ongoing development of sustainable alternative fuels. The industry had to demonstrate both financial and environmental sustainability or it will decline, he warned. Tim Johnson of the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) said recent research suggested it would be difficult for industry emissions growth to be funded through the carbon markets on a long-term basis and the focus had to be on decarbonising the sector. Read more ...

Norway sets ambition for all-electric short-haul flights by 2040 as aerospace majors announce hybrid-electric venture | E-Fan,Zunum,Wright Electric,electric aircraft,hybrid-electric aircraft,Avinor
Norway sets ambition for all-electric short-haul flights by 2040 as aerospace majors announce hybrid-electric venture
Thu 25 Jan 2018 - By 2040, all short-haul flights within Norway and neighbouring countries lasting up to one-and-a-half hours should be operated by electric aircraft, forecasts Norwegian airport operator Avinor. In the transition to all-electric aircraft operations, the country, which aims to be the world's first to switch to electric air transport, will ramp up use of sustainable aviation fuels and hopes to have a small electric plane with 19 seats operating on a commercial route starting in 2025. Over the past year, a number of electric or hybrid-electric commercial aircraft projects have hit the headlines, the latest an announcement by Airbus, Siemens and Rolls-Royce that they are to collaborate on designing a demonstrator hybrid-electric regional aircraft that is anticipated to fly in 2020. Read more ...

Virgin Atlantic removes Cambodian forest project from carbon offset portfolio as NGO and standards body clash over REDD+ | Virgin Atlantic,VCS,Fern,Natural Capital Partners,REDD+
Virgin Atlantic removes Cambodian forest project from carbon offset portfolio as NGO and standards body clash over REDD+
Tue 23 Jan 2018 - Following a report by forestry NGO Fern, Virgin Atlantic Airways has removed from its carbon offset portfolio a controversial REDD+ project in Cambodia. The report, which warns the aviation industry not to purchase REDD+ forestry credits under the ICAO CORSIA international carbon offsetting scheme, included a case study of the Oddar Meanchey project. Fern claims forest carbon offsets fail to meet the majority of the eight principles set by ICAO and should be excluded from the CORSIA mechanism. The NGO also says standards set by bodies such as Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), which certified the Cambodian project, should not be trusted. VCS has reacted strongly, publishing a rebuttal and calling the report inaccurate and misleading. It says REDD+ has matured over the past decade and forest carbon credits are now well-positioned to meet all ICAO's offset quality criteria. Read more ...
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Airline fuel efficiency performance on transpacific routes heavily influenced by belly freight, finds ICCT study | ICCT
Airline fuel efficiency performance on transpacific routes heavily influenced by belly freight, finds ICCT study
Thu 18 Jan 2018 - Belly freight carried in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft accounts for around 25 per cent of the total payload mass moved on flights across the Pacific and is the most important driver of airline fuel efficiency performance. So finds a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation which has analysed and ranked 20 airlines operating nonstop flights between mainland United States and East Asia and Oceania. It found the gap between the most fuel efficient, China's Hainan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, and least efficient, Qantas Airways, was 64 per cent, which is the widest it has found in its studies on comparing US domestic and transatlantic flights. Airlines that predominantly used Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft were also found to be considerably better performers on transpacific routes than those using four-engined aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Read more ...

Latest sustainability report outlines how fast-growing Qatar Airways is facing up to its environmental challenge | Qatar Airways
Latest sustainability report outlines how fast-growing Qatar Airways is facing up to its environmental challenge
Thu 11 Jan 2018 - The carbon emissions of fast-growing Qatar Airways increased by 21 per cent last year on the back of a 23.8 per cent increase in revenue tonne kilometres (RTKs). However, the Gulf carrier improved its average carbon efficiency (CO2/RTK) by 2.5 per cent over the year, building on a 1.4 per cent improvement achieved the previous year. Carbon emissions from aircraft operations have risen by 45 per cent over the past three years, from 12 million tonnes in the 2014-15 reporting year to 17.5 million tonnes in 2016-17, while carbon efficiency has improved from 0.807 to 0.776 kg CO2/RTK over the period. The latest sustainability report from the Qatar Airways Group - whose interests include cargo handling, aviation and catering services, retail outlets, hotels and the management of Hamad International Airport - outlines its environmental policy and objectives, along with improvements planned for sustainable growth across operations. Read more ...

Heathrow raises environmental charges in bid to persuade airlines to use cleaner, quieter aircraft | Heathrow Airport,Gatwick Airport
Heathrow raises environmental charges in bid to persuade airlines to use cleaner, quieter aircraft
Tue 9 Jan 2018 - Heathrow Airport has increased its environmental charges by 7 per cent from January 1 in efforts to encourage airlines to use their most efficient aircraft when serving the UK hub. Around 80 per cent of the total environmental charge is recovered through noise charges and the rest through charges on aircraft NOx emissions. Heathrow says the higher charges are part of its Heathrow 2.0 sustainability strategy to make the airport cleaner and quieter for local communities. The strategy also includes a pledge to ensure all the airport's cars and small vans are electric powered by 2020, and Heathrow has announced it has taken delivery of its 50th electric vehicle. Heathrow is about to launch a public consultation over its expansion plans and the search is now on for someone to head the new independent Community Engagement Board. Read more ...