Amman - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced that its efforts to improve industry fuel efficiency saved airlines in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) US $315 million and 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 during 2007.
The savings are the result of IATA’s campaign to shorten routes, improve operational procedures and share best practices in fuel management. In total IATA saved US$2.1 billion and 10.5 million tonnes of CO2 across the globe last year. Since 2001 airline fuel efficiency has improved 16.5%.
“Fuel efficiency is critical to industry profitability and environmental sustainability,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “Our objective is to reduce flying time for passengers, limit emissions and cut fuel costs. We have made headway, but there is much more work to do.”
Of the US$315 million, US$303 million in savings were identified by IATA Green Teams - experts that consult with airlines to implement recognised fuel conservation techniques. Solutions are based on reducing weight by implementing measures such as lighter seats and trimming the number of on-board magazines as well as tackling fuel efficiencies by reducing drag, improving load distribution and taxiing on a reduced number of engines. These efforts involved 8 airlines in the region during 2007 and 12 since the campaign’s launch in 2005.
Over US$12 million was saved by shortening routes in Bahrain, Iran and Algeria; improving departure, approach and landing procedures in Doha and Yenbou; and introducing Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (which helps aircraft save fuel by having better access to optimum flight levels) in Algeria.
IATA’s fuel campaign is part of a four-pillar strategy to achieve carbon-neutral growth in the near term and zero emissions in the long term. This strategy, which was endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and 179 member states during its September 2007 assembly, calls on industry and governments to:
- 1. Invest in new technology
- 2. Fly planes more effectively
- 3. Build and use efficient infrastructure and
- 4. Use effective economic measures
“Environment is not yet at the top of the political agenda in the Middle East but it is rising quickly,” said Bisignani. “Aviation is key to the diversification of the regional economy. We are supporting its sustainability with a clear vision that is backed up with a sound strategy, concrete actions and tangible results.”
More information on IATA’s Fuel Campaign.
Editors Notes:
- IATA has some 240 members comprising 94% of scheduled international traffic.
- The industry has set a goal to improve fuel efficiency 25% by 2020.
- The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that there is up to 12% ATM inefficiency worldwide. This is equivalent to up to 73 million tonnes of CO2.
- By 2020, new technologies are expected to be at least 50% more fuel-efficient than today.
- 70% of the aircraft that will be flying in 2020 have not yet been built.
- Average new aircraft consumes 3.5 litres per 100-passenger km.
- Compares favourably with small family cars, but 6 times faster.
- MENA airlines that have participated in the programme since its launch in 2005 include: Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines, Tunis Air, Iran Aseman Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad,Saudi Arabian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, EL AL, Royal Air Maroc