Académique Documents
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FLIGHT TO THE BLUE SKIES 131,000 TONNES OF CO2 AS EUROPE’S AEROSPACE BIOFUELS WITH NEW AVIATION WERE A COUNTRY,
OF MEXICO MEASURES PAY OFF AND AVIATION SECTOR PARTNERSHIP IN USA IT WOULD RANK 21st IN GDP
PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 7 BACK PAGE
Green Flight Times Environmental news from across the aviation industry
Edition #4
www.enviro.aero
September - November 2010
sage (much like an SMS text message) pro- traffic control as the air traffic control system Infrastructure partments need to work together more closely
viding a required time of arrival for an aircraft evolves. As the Federal Aviation Administra- to improve route efficiency. Our message to
Additional
to reach a designated approach location near tion begins the transition from ground-based technologies world governments is: help us to help you
the airport. The aircraft then adjusts its cruise to satellite-based navigation, four-dimension- and biofuels Carbon-neutral
growth deliver the emissions reductions we all want
speed to meet the scheduled arrival time. al air traffic control becomes possible. One 2 to see.”
Delta has been using Attila at Hartsfield- important feature of the next generation air Fançois Gayet, chair of The International
Jackson Atlanta International Airport on a traffic system is time-based metering. 1
Coordinating Council of Aerospace Indus-
continuous basis since December 2006, and With precise vertical and horizontal flight -50% by 2050 tries Associations said that research had to be
is achieving more than five million path control, air navigation in the future a top priority in the climate challenge.
gallons of fuel savings and 50,000 will use better timing to allow more capac- 3
“We call on governments to raise their lev-
tonnes of CO2 reduction annually. ity in the airspace system. This will provide el of support for research and development
Delta continuously works with ATH Group for very predictable vertical and horizontal 2005 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 for new greener technologies. We also urge
to make improvements to the system, and re- paths, culminating in more efficient use of the Known technology, operations and infrastructure measures Economic measures “No action” emissions them to facilitate the deployment of more ef-
cently incorporated gate availability into the approach paths to airports. This future system Biofuels and additional new-generation technology Net emissions trajectory ficient air traffic management systems, such
optimisation model, thereby reducing the will allow Delta and other airlines to truly as SESAR in Europe and NextGen in the US
Mapping out the industry commitments: improve fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5% per year
likelihood of an arriving aircraft not having optimise how they fly their aircraft. The de- Finally, we believe governments also have a
from now until 2020; cap net emissions from 2020 through carbon neutral growth; by
an available gate and having to wait with its velopment of Attila is just a small preview of key role to play to prepare the ground for the
2050, net aviation carbon emissions will be half of what they were in 2005.
engines running. this larger concept of time-based metering. (Schematic, indicative diagram only.) widespread use of aviation biofuels.”
This publication is a digest of press releases and other announcements issued by partners across the aviation industry from Printed on 100% recycled paper. Copyright © 2010
September - November 2010. It is not fully comprehensive, but provides a snapshot of the work being undertaken around the world Instead of simply recycling this paper yourself, Air Transport Action Group
by all parts of the aviation industry. Readers are encouraged to visit http://newswire.enviro.aero for the latest environmental news. pass it on to someone else first. Geneva, Switzerland
2 AIRLINES Green Flight Times
September - November 2010
“We have some tough targets to meet” - Giovanni Bisignani, director general of IATA
FedEx inaugurates new
GENEVA – Airlines can cut an average
solar-powered hub at of 2% of total fuel burn per flight on certain
Early modelling suggests that
airlines operating a 10-hour inter-
Cologne Bonn Airport long-haul trips under a new IATA project to continental flight can cut flight time
implement more flexible routings across mul- by six minutes, reduce fuel burn by
COLOGNE – FedEx joined with Cologne
tiple flight information regions. as much as 2% and save 3,000 kilo-
Bonn Airport in Germany recently to inau-
The International Air Transport Asso- grams of CO2.
gurate the new FedEx Central and Eastern
ciation has announced the ‘iFlex’ pilot pro- The iFlex programme will concentrate
Europe hub. The Cologne hub is the sec-
gramme. IATA will work with key airlines, on long-haul routes through low-density
ond solar-powered FedEx Express hub and
air navigation service providers, and gov- airspace in regions where maximum benefit
the fifth solar-powered facility in operation
ernments to implement more flexible rout- can be achieved through a more flexible air-
within FedEx Corp. A sixth solar-powered
ings to take advantage of wind patterns. The space structure. The South Atlantic and Af-
facility is scheduled to open in California in
programme is aligned with ICAO’s strategic rica will be the initial focus concentrating on
the near future.
objectives under the Global Air Navigational the Johannesburg to Atlanta and Dubai to Sao
Cologne is one of the most modern FedEx
Plan and is consistent with the industry’s en- Paolo routes.
hubs in the world. Its fully-automated sort-
vironment targets and four-pillar strategy to In the coming months, IATA will work
ing system can process up to 18,000 pack-
reduce emissions. with airlines, ICAO, air navigation service
ages and documents per hour. The roof fea-
“We have some tough targets to meet. The providers and governments on proof-of-
tures the largest FedEx Express solar power
iFlex programme will help us get there with concept work which will include data analy-
installation worldwide and represents one of Professor Feargal Brennan and Ilze Lee of Cranfield University, join Andrew Kershaw of
a practical approach that delivers real savings sis and route simulation using modern flight
the largest rooftop solar installations in North British Airways and Christian Dumas of Airbus in launching the SURF project at September’s
using today’s technology. But we cannot do planning tools. A pilot project is planned for
Rhine-Westphalia, with an area of 16,000 ATAG Aviation & Environment Summit in Geneva.
it alone. Coordination among ANSPs is criti- 2011 where flights will be able to better opti-
square meters, producing about 800,000 kilo-
cal,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s direc- mise their routing by taking advantage of the
watt hours per year.
Including the Cologne hub, FedEx’s five British Airways, Airbus, Cranfield Uni tor general and chief executive officer. prevailing weather conditions.
solar-powered facilities will reduce an- accelerate availability of algae for fuel
nual carbon dioxide emissions by a
projected 3,918 tonnes – the equivalent GENEVA – Several powerhouses of the aviation industry are backing Cranfield University’s
Air India to offer EcoPower engine
of more than 440,000 gallons of gasoline or
over 100,000 tree seedlings growing for ten
pioneering project to solve how to harvest algae to produce jet fuel in commercial quantities.
The Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels (SURF) consortium which brings together Airbus,
washing to bring down emissions
years. British Airways and Cranfield University, among many others, was announced at the Aviation MUMBAI – Air India has signed an India, one of the world's fastest growing avia-
“This solar-powered facility is the latest & Environment Summit in Geneva. agreement with Pratt & Whitney to establish tion markets,” said Joanne Hastings, director,
example of our commitment to responsibly The consortium will take a structured approach to addressing five major considerations for an EcoPower engine wash service at Mumbai Line Maintenance Services, Pratt & Whitney.
connect the world for our customers through the successful use of fuels from a renewable source like microalgae. These will include: en- International Airport. “The service is especially valued since fuel
innovative solutions,” said Mitch Jackson, vironmental impact; processing, capacity and distribution; commercial; and legislation and With this agreement, Air India will be able prices in India are among the highest in the
vice president of environmental affairs and regulation. Specific studies will look at future sustainability modelling and environmental life- to perform EcoPower engine washes on vari- world.”
sustainability for FedEx Corp. cycle assessment. ous engines in its fleet of aircraft. In addition Pratt & Whitney's patented EcoPower
FedEx has recently added all-electric de- SURF is based around Cranfield’s Sea Green project and will serve as an advisory group it will offer the services to other carriers in engine wash system reduces fuel burn
livery vehicles in Paris and Los Angeles, supporting the definition, objectives and outcomes of this project. The University already has the region. The service centre will have the by as much as 1.2%, eliminating three
building on its existing all-electric delivery a pilot facility on campus which is growing and processing algae for biofuels but the eventual ability to perform washes on nearly all com- pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for ev-
vehicles in London. The integration of all- aim is for Sea Green to be an ocean-based facility for the sustainable production of commercial mercial engines in service today. ery pound of fuel saved, while also decreas-
electric vehicles is part of FedEx pledge to quantities of biomass for biofuels. It will be designed to use the expanse of the world’s near- “Air India will offer to its customers the ing engine gas temperature thus increasing
improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet shore waters to rapidly grow microalgae at a faster rate than any other initiative unique advantage of EcoPower engine wash the amount of time an engine can stay on
by 20% through its reduce, replace and revo- and capture CO2 from the atmosphere and seas at the same time. services in India,” said Mr K.M. Unni of Air wing. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in
lutionise strategy, and reduce carbon dioxide This will be done in an environmentally friendly, sustainable facility with a negative carbon India. “This will help airlines reduce their op- the design, manufacture and service of air-
emissions from its aircraft fleet by 20% per mechanism (meaning that net carbon is taken out of the atmosphere) that does not compete erating costs and emissions.” craft engines, space propulsion systems and
available tonne mile by 2020. with agricultural land, does not require fresh water, does not result in deforestation and does “This partnership will expand the avail- industrial gas turbines.
The Cologne hub is a vital link in this Fe- not damage the environment. ability of EcoPower engine wash services to
dEx worldwide network, acting as a central
gateway for packages arriving by ground or
AIRLINE BRIEFS
air from Central and Eastern Europe and pro-
viding fast connectivity within Europe, to the
US and Asia.
Qantas Supports Climate Research sation of sustainable aviation fuel in Australia SriLankan Catering recently became one Information about the amount of CO2
(through membership of the Sustainable Avi- of a handful of airline caterers in the world to emitted for the booked flight is available as
New fleet in Canada Initiative in Southern Ocean ation Fuel Users Group), more efficient flying
FedEx Canada is will replace its fleet of Qantas announced that it would back an receive the prestigious ISO 14001:2004 certi- well as the cost to offset the CO2 amount.
techniques, emissions reduction initiatives on fication for Best Environmental Practices. The system utilises the efficiencies and reli-
727-200 aircraft with five newer generation important climate change research project
the ground and a highly successful carbon SriLankan Catering reduced its electric- ability of IATA’s long-established financial
757-200 planes. “Approximately 16,000 in the Southern Ocean as part of its strong
offset scheme for customers and staff. ity consumption by 10% and fuel usage by a system to enable airlines and their custom-
km are flown daily in Canada by the 727- commitment to environmental sustainabili-
“We also believe that we have a responsi- whopping 40% during the last year, among a ers to purchase ticket and offset at the same
200 fleet. We are very pleased to be able to ty. The project, to be undertaken by the Ant-
bility to assist organisations such as the Great series of planned conservation efforts. time.
cut our carbon emissions and fuel arctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative
Barrier Reef Foundation as they work to pro- The IATA Carbon Offset Programme
consumption by up to 47% for each Research Centre (ACE CRC) in partnership
tect Australia’s great natural landscapes. On Thai Airways and IATA join to offer only invests in UN-approved certified emis-
package carried compared to our 727s,” with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, will
the eve of World Environment Day, Qantas sions reductions projects and voluntary
said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express enable the Foundation to better understand
is delighted to be extending its relationship offsets credits which comply with the recognised
Canada. “Achieving environmental and eco- and respond to the impacts of a changing Thai Airways International has launched
with the Foundation into this crucial research Gold and or Voluntary Carbon Standards.
nomic sustainability requires more than just ocean on the Great Barrier Reef. a carbon offset programme with the Inter-
area.” The entire customer contribution goes to the
embracing more-efficient technologies. It Qantas chief risk officer, Mr Rob Kella, national Air Transport Association (IATA)
also means making smart choices, matching said Qantas considered it imperative to pur- project. As transparency is critical to ensure
to provide customers with the opportunity
the right plane with the right job.” sue sustainable operations in all areas of the SriLankan Catering wins prestigious to offset carbon emissions generated from
that money collected result in reduced emis-
The move is part of a global FedEx initia- business and to support environmental re- Gold Award for energy efficiency sions the IATA offset programme has been
flying. Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Thai presi-
tive to replace 727 aircraft with 757’s. FedEx search in the scientific community. SriLankan Airlines Catering (Pvt) Ltd independently accredited by the UK Gov-
dent, said that Thai is the first airline in the
Express Canada expects the transition to the “Qantas has a comprehensive, strategic added to its growing reputation as a model ernment quality assurance scheme.
Asia-Pacific region to join the programme
@
newer aircraft to be completed by early 2011. approach to emissions reduction and en- of environmental conservation when it won with IATA. “Working with IATA, Thai is now For further information on
Improved fuel efficiency, coupled with great- ergy efficiency. This includes fleet renewal the prestigious National Energy Efficiency able to offer customers a way to compensate developments across the
er payload capacity and flight range, allows to introduce more fuel-efficient aircraft, a Gold Award in the large scale state sector carbon emissions through the Thai website aviation industry:
more packages to be shipped daily across the commitment to influence the commerciali- category. when they book their flights.” www.enviro.aero
intra-Canadian network with fewer flights.
Supporting a Greener Future for Flight
www.enviro.aero AIRPORTS 3
World-leading solar
Heathrow helps fliers cut carbon AIRPORT
power station for Alice
Springs Airport
ALICE SPRINGS – Alice Springs Air-
BRIEFS
port has launched a major solar power station Fixed power units at Delhi cut
project, using new Concentrator Photovoltaic costs, fuel, emissions
(CPV) technology that will supply about 28% The new terminal at Delhi Internation-
of the airport’s energy needs. Concentrator al Airport has become the first in India
photovoltaic systems are an emerging solar to install fixed electrical ground power
technology offering significant potential for (FEGP) on all its airbridges. This will
cost reductions in photovoltaic (PV) sys- cut down on the amount of jet fuel used,
tems. while also reducing emissions and noise
The first of its kind in the southern hemi- pollution.
sphere, the installation will comprise 28 so- Across the world, airports are moving
lar arrays, each eight metres wide and seven towards adopting FEGP units. The In-
metres high. dian CAA issued an environment circular
“We are installing one of the largest track- asking Indian airports to begin installing
ing solar systems in Australia and the largest FEGP units. Mumbai’s airport will install
in Alice Springs,” said Ian Kew, chief execu- these units in its new Terminal 2 as it is
tive officer of Northern Territory Airports. constructed around 2012.
Alice Springs will be the first Australian
airport to have a large scale (over 100kW)
photovoltaic system providing a direct source Heathrow gives staff pedal power
of renewable energy to its internal grid. It will For the second year running, Heath-
be on display to travellers, visible from both row Airport is promoting an innovative
the ground and the air. scheme to get staff members ditching
Yellow pipes making a big difference - these deliver pre-conditioned air to aircraft parked at Heathrow and airports all over the world.
Valued at about $2.3 million, the project the car and cycling to work, in partner-
will receive funding from the Australian ship with the UK’s largest cycle retailer
LONDON – Heathrow Airport's progress While Heathrow cannot control emissions 3. steps to cut CO2 from passenger and Halfords.
Government, as part of the Alice Solar City
in tackling climate change has been recog- from planes flying, aircraft taxi times have staff travel to the airport, such as the The Cycle2Work scheme is a govern-
Project.
nised with a major award from the airport been cut by 30% - helping reduce the length implementation of a clean vehicle ment initiative to get employees cycling
“It will reduce the airport’s carbon
industry's trade body Airports Council Inter- of time engines are powered up while on the scheme to emit less pollution to work and eligible BAA staff will be
emissions by about 470 tonnes of
national Europe. Airport Carbon Accredita- ground. And with more than six million passengers entitled to tax-free benefits to encourage
carbon dioxide a year, the equivalent
tion is the European standard for CO2 man- During the last year 131,000 each month, huge savings have been made them to get a bike.
of about 70 Alice Springs households per an-
agement and Heathrow's success will be a tonnes of CO2 has been saved which by using hybrid vehicles for onsite transport The scheme will help Heathrow in
num,” Mr Kew said.
major boost to government plans to improve is the same as cutting the carbon while the airport's 77,000 employees use achieving their target of reducing em-
“We are a major electricity user in Alice
international links while meeting strict EU footprint of 13,000 people to zero. Europe's biggest car-share scheme to get to ployee car use by 1% year on year at the
Springs, and this project seemed an ideal way
environmental targets. Airport Carbon Accreditation rates Heathrow work, saving over 19 million miles of travel. airport. Around 800 people a day cycle to
to demonstrate our commitment to harness-
Heathrow has invested millions of pounds at Level 3 'optimisation' - the highest level Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, work at the airport and to make it easier,
ing the benefits of renewable energy.
in more eco-friendly air-conditioning to keep of performance achievable without offset- said: "If you do not effectively measure and BAA Heathrow have also provided off
“We have also encouraged tenants to un-
people cool and lighting systems that dim ting emissions. Heathrow's success has come benchmark energy use, you cannot reduce it, road cycle lanes on the Southern, Western
dertake their own solar installations. For
down when areas are unoccupied. Like Ter- through three years of joint working across but that is exactly what we are doing. This and Eastern Perimeter Roads; at Terminal
example, one of the airport’s tenants, Alice
minal 5, the new £2 billion state of the art the airport, with airlines, air traffic control, accreditation is an important milestone as we 5 and in the Colne Valley.
Springs Helicopters who were winners of the
Terminal 2 will also maximise natural light, baggage handlers and other ground staff fo- seek to make every journey better. Real im-
National Small Business Export Award for
meaning customers get a brighter experience cusing on: provements can be made through investment
@
2009, recently installed rooftop solar panels For further information on
with great views of the planes at no environ- 1. improving energy efficiency, cutting and joint-working. We are committed to help-
with support from Alice Solar City. developments across the
mental cost. energy use and waste ing the country meet its environmental targets
“These initiatives reconfirm Northern Ter- aviation industry:
Smart metering has also been implemented 2. greening the energy supply through and I am delighted that the great lengths that
ritory Airports’ commitment to sustainability. www.enviro.aero
across the airport to allow Heathrow to man- biomass and combined heat and power all our staff go to have been recognised."
In addition to the solar project, $100,000 will
age usage in energy hungry baggage systems. plant
be spent making the terminal more energy ef-
ficient.”
The airport’s solar power station is expect-
ed to be fully commissioned and operational
Green approaches CO2 reduced at Birmingham Airport through smarter flying
by August 2010. The site has been chosen to
allow for future expansion of the solar power
at Madrid Airport BIRMINGHAM – An operational tech-
nique introduced at Birmingham Airport last
trol provider), and airlines operating at the
airport. The technique significantly reduces
ager for NATS, said, “Although CDAs are
being used at a number of other UK airports,
station up to four times the size. Madrid – Iberia Airlines, Spain’s air- year to reduce noise, emissions and aircraft fuel costs for airlines, creates a quieter envi- Birmingham is one of the most successful
“Our location offers a unique opportunity port and air traffic control authority AENA, fuel consumption has saved over 13,000 ronment for airport neighbours and reduces airports using the scheme, and I am proud to
to become the first airport in the world to be and the Ineco transport engineering firm have tonnes of CO2 in the last 12 months aircraft emissions. say that our team of controllers are exceeding
powered 100% by solar energy and we would carried out 620 test flights at the Madrid-Ba- - enough to fill Wembley Stadium one and a Ben Hanley, the airport’s environment targets every month.”
be thrilled if we could make this happen some rajas airport involving continuous descent or half times. manager said, “We’re always seeking new Birmingham Airport’s work on CDAs
time in the future,” Mr Kew said. ‘green approaches’. The Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) opportunities to improve the noise climate forms part of the national “Sustainable Avia-
The results of the tests, as announced by technique allows aircraft to descend on for local residents and in 2006 we introduced tion” initiative. Sustainable Aviation was set
the Single European Sky ATM Research Joint minimum power, making a smooth approach the Operation Pathfinder scheme to create up by the aviation industry, as a commitment
Undertaking (SESAR JU), show that the new without levelling off, rather than using a clas- better communication channels and joined up to work together to improve environmental
landing approach technique yields an average sical stepped approach. thinking with our airlines and NATS. performance, with challenging targets to re-
25% reduction in CO2 emissions and After just one year of launching the “This partnership approach resulted in the duce noise and emissions.
fuel consumption, as well as signifi- scheme, 95% of aircraft arriving into Bir- launch of the CDA programme, and has led to Through Sustainable Aviation, Birming-
cant reduction of noise. mingham Airport now use CDAs, making a improvements to our ‘on-track’ performance, ham Airport recently committed to imple-
The success of the test has led AENA to saving per flight of around 315kg of CO2, which saw 99% of all our departures in 2009 ment measures to reduce ground based
analyse the results with a view to instituting 100kg of fuel, and reducing the noise around keeping within the designated flight paths. carbon emissions. Birmingham Airport is
these ‘green approaches’ at night at all Span- the airport by between one and five decibels We’re really seeing the results of collabora- already leading the way by working with air-
ish airports before the end of this year. This per arrival. tive working and we thank our partners for lines through the Operation Pathfinder pro-
was one of the measures included in AENA’s The use of CDAs at Birmingham is as a their commitment to improve the local cli- gramme, to reduce emissions whilst aircraft
2009 Environmental Action Plan, aimed result of a partnership between the airport mate.” are taxiing and operating on stand.
at achieving a total fuel savings of 25,000 company, NATS (the airport’s air traffic con- Paul Waite, operations and training man-
tonnes per year and a reduction of 75,000
tonnes of CO2 emissions during airport ap-
proaches.
The test flights, staged by Iberia, AENA
and Ineco, were carried out at Madrid-Bara-
Situated in the centre of Australia, Alice jas airport, and involved Iberia Airbus A320s
Springs is a perfect location for solar power and A340s.
FROM THE DESK OF... Airbus flight-tests A350 XWB composite fuselage panel
TOULOUSE – In the development programme for its new-generation A350 XWB aircraft, Airbus is flight-testing a fuselage panel made
from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The 15m² structure (pictured) is fitted in place of an existing A340 aluminium fuselage section.
The trials, conducted by Airbus’ flight-test aircraft A340 MSN001, are part of a three-week campaign to evaluate pressurised CFRP acoustic
properties and to help fine-tune sound insulation for the A350 XWB cabin. By using 53% lightweight carbon fibre composite materials such as
this panel, the new Airbus has massive fuel-saving potential. Final assembly of the A350-900 is scheduled to start in 2011, with first delivery to
an airline customer expected in 2013.
@ www.asd-europe.org
FARNBOROUGH – Air passengers got a concept plane represents an engineer’s dream levels of speed or luxury in cruise ships of
glimpse into the future of flight at the Farn- about what an aircraft could look like in the the sky.”
borough Airshow this year as Airbus unveiled long term future. It’s not a real aircraft and Further future-gazing by Airbus shows
its new concept plane. all the technologies it features, though fea- blueprints for radical aircraft interiors. In
More than a flight of pure fantasy, the sible, are not likely to come together in the ‘The Future by Airbus’ the company talks of
concept plane illustrates what air transport same manner. Here we are stretching our morphing seats made from ecological, self-
could look like in 2050 – even 2030 if ad- imagination and thinking beyond our usual cleaning materials, which change shape for a
vancements in existing technologies continue boundaries. snug fit; walls that become see-through at the
apace. Airbus experts in aircraft materi- With the Airbus concept plane we want touch of a button, affording 360 degree views
als, aerodynamics, cabins and engines came to stimulate young people from all over the of the world below; and holographic projec-
up with the design which is an ‘engineer’s world to engage with us so that we can con- tions of virtual decors, allowing travellers to
European Parliament dream’ to meet the expectations of the pas- tinue to share the benefits of air transport transform their private cabin into an office,
Brussels sengers of the future. Ultra long and slim while also looking after the environment.” bedroom or Zen garden!
wings, semi-embedded engines, a U-shaped Robin Mannings, a leading independent fu- ‘Green’ energy sources like fuel cells, so-
tail and light-weight ‘intelligent’ body all turologist, looks ahead: “Most of us want re- lar panels or even our own body heat might
feature to further improve environmental per- duced traffic congestion – both on the ground provide energy for powering some systems
formance or ‘eco-efficiency’. The result: and in the sky – together with improved on tomorrow’s aircraft. As aeronautics engi-
lower fuel burn, a significant cut in comfort for a better travelling experience. neers continue to use nature as a source of
emissions, less noise and greater By 2050, we’ll also expect seamless access inspiration, some of these aircraft may even
comfort. to a plethora of technology and applications. fly in formation like birds to reduce drag, fuel
Charles Champion, executive vice presi- And ‘flexibility’ will become the new mantra burn and therefore emissions.
dent engineering at Airbus, says, “the Airbus for air travel, with us as passengers choosing
Supporting a Greener Future for Flight
www.enviro.aero
Pratt & Whitney part of MIT team that wins Breakthrough Innovator
award for eco-friendly green aircraft design of the future
Belfast – The first phase of construc- operation of high performance green build-
tion of the 600,000 sq. ft. (55,742 m2) facility ings.
in Belfast that will house the manufacture and “A year ago, we celebrated the start of
assembly of the advanced composite wings construction of this brand new facility, and I
for the new CSeries commercial aircraft has am delighted that the first phase of this ma-
been completed on schedule. jor investment – the largest ever in Northern
Bombardier’s Belfast operation is respon- Ireland – is now complete,” said Michael
sible for the design, manufacture and integra- Ryan, vice president and general manager,
tion of the advanced composite wings for the Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast. “We are also
CSeries aircraft, including all flight control progressing with the composite wing devel-
surfaces and highlift systems. opment and test programme as planned, and
The facility, which is part of a £520 mil- look forward to starting production of the NEW YORK – Pratt & Whitney engineers based on a fuselage shape that’s not round, The plane’s body and tail will shield the en-
lion investment by Bombardier in its North- CSeries aircraft wing early next year.” are part of a team that recently received Pop- as conventional aircraft are today, but incor- gines, reducing noise. A model of the aircraft
ern Ireland operation, is being built to meet As part of the wing research and devel- ular Mechanics magazine’s Breakthrough In- porates two side-by-side cylinders that create is undergoing tests in the MIT Department of
high environmental standards. The building’s opment programme, Bombardier’s Belfast novator Award for designing a greener aircraft an oval – or ‘double bubble’ – cross section,” Aeronautics and Astronautics’ Wright Broth-
layout and design are optimised for energy ef- operation has developed an innovative Resin of the future that could use 70% less fuel said Alan Epstein, Pratt & Whitney vice ers Wind Tunnel.
ficiency and minimal environmental impact. Transfer Infusion (RTI) technology to manu- than current planes while reducing president, technology and environment, who The double bubble concept in-service tar-
The facility will be a Leadership in facture the large onepiece wing skins and noise and emissions. is an MIT professor emeritus. “It’s estimated get is currently set for 2035, by which time
Energy and Environmental Design structural spars for the wing torque box. It The Massachusetts Institute of Technology that the advanced concept in airframe design commercial air travel in the USA is expected
(LEED) building, and a particular focus has manufactured and assembled a pre-pro- (MIT)-led team, which also includes Aurora could use significantly less fuel than the con- to have doubled. As the project proceeds, the
is being given to waste segregation and re- duction demonstrator wing, which has been Flight Sciences, is looking at the potential ventional shape while also reducing noise technology required to make the concept a re-
cycling. LEED is a third-party certification successfully tested to ultimate load, replicat- application of Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower and emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx).” ality will be a system game-changer.
programme and an internationally accepted ing 150% of the most severe forces the wing geared turbofan technology as an integral The craft’s unique “double bubble” fuse- “This integrated approach to vehicle and
benchmark for the design, construction and is ever likely to experience in service. part of the design for this eco-friendly nar- lage dispenses with the tube-and-wing struc- engine will yield vastly improved efficien-
rowbody plane. The team’s work is part of ture of current airplanes, providing extra lift cies compared to today’s applications,” said
a $2.1 million NASA contract to deliver ben- while reducing drag. Three engines are locat- Epstein. “Pratt & Whitney’s role on the MIT
AFRA targets 90% recyclability of efits for future single-aisle aircraft designs. ed on the upper rear of the fuselage. This will team strongly positions us to influence the
“It’s possible that in the not-too-distant fu- allow the engines to ingest slower moving technology that will define the future of air
global fleet by 2016 ture, highly efficient aircraft will be designed air, using less fuel than under-wing engines. travel.”
SEATTLE – Jeanne Yu, Boeing Com- carbon fiber recycling demonstrators, which
MANUFACTURER BRIEFS
mercial Airplane’s director for airplane envi- have increased focus and accelerated the
ronmental performance, believes the industry emergence of technology solutions.” There
coalition Aircraft Fleet Recycling Associa- is a need to improve the quality of recycled
tion (AFRA) is a key catalyst in reaching composite materials, find new applications GE Aviation receives award for efficient technologies to help reduce their actions to improve environmental perfor-
ambitious industry targets of 90% recy- and new markets both inside and outside the costs and their impact on the environment.” mance.
aviation sector.
FAA CLEEN research
clability of the end-of-service world One of the technologies being funded in- “Boeing’s environmental improvement
GE Aviation received an award from
fleet by 2016. AFRA and its key member Using recycled carbon fibre instead of cludes the TAPS II Combustor which GE is stems directly from our innovative and en-
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Boeing also aim to reduce the amount of air- Virgin fibre reduces CO2 emissions by 90- developing for its new engine core, called gaged employees,” said Mary Armstrong,
as part of the Continuous Lower Energy,
craft manufacturing waste which goes into 95%. Recycling also makes good business eCore. eCore will be part of CFM Interna- vice president of Environment, Health and
Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) programme.
landfills by 25% by 2012. sense, as the needs of the market are satisfied tional’s new LEAP-X engine for narrowbody Safety.
The programme goal is to enable the new
Ms Yu emphasised that “AFRA is the only at lower costs. aircraft as well as the new core for GE’s next “We’ve seen many instances where
technologies to enter the fleet beginning in
global organisation committed to the envi- The growth in the number of retired air- generation regional and business jet engines. impressive cost savings and productivity
2015. GE and the FAA will share the invest-
ronmentally responsible management of air- craft provides opportunities and challenges The new core will offer up to 16% bet- improvements resulted from employee-led
ment of up to $66 million for up to a five-
planes as they reach the end of their service to AFRA. More than 12,000 aircraft are ex- ter fuel efficiency than GE’s best engines in activities to reduce our environmental foot-
year period.
life, and AFRA is relentlessly pursuing con- pected to reach the end of their service life service today. GE began testing the TAPS II print. This has helped us enhance our prod-
The CLEEN award will help fund three
tinual life cycle improvement opportunities”. in the next 20 years. A challenge for AFRA combustor in June 2009 at a special altitude uct performance, reduce costs and meet the
GE technologies including TAPS II Com-
The Boeing director believes that partner- is to enable asset owners to extract greatest test chamber in Evendale, Ohio, as part of the needs of our customers while becoming
bustor, Open Rotor and Flight Management
ships such as AFRA “create innovative mod- value from aircraft, making recycling a more first eCore tests. The results were very posi- more environmentally efficient.”
System - Air Traffic Management (FMS-
els which accelerate technology development attractive option. tive. Boeing has set – and is achieving – ag-
ATM) technologies.
and allow the industry to set challenging AFRA currently has 46 members and has gressive environmental performance tar-
“GE has always invested in advanced
recycling goals to enhance environmental grown by more than threefold since being Boeing recognised as a leader in gets. At major US facilities since 2002,
technologies to lower fuel burn, emissions
performance.” AFRA’s companies focus on established in 2006. The members of AFRA Boeing reduced CO2 emissions by 31%,
have many years of combined aircraft recy-
and noise,” said Dale Carlson, advanced climate change energy consumption by 32%, water con-
all aspects of dismantling and recycling in all engine systems for GE Aviation. “This For the second consecutive year, the Car-
phases of an aircraft’s end of service life. cling experience, recycling around 150 com- sumption by 43% and hazardous-waste
CLEEN award will allow us to quicken our bon Disclosure Project recognised Boeing
“Using technology demonstrator projects mercial aircraft a year, representing a third of generation by 38% on a revenue-adjusted
pace on research on key technologies that as one of the world’s leading companies in
is another way AFRA global partnerships can aircraft scrapped around the world. basis.
will provide our customers with more fuel reporting climate-change risks and taking
be utilised”, said Yu, “as has been seen with
Supporting a Greener Future for Flight
www.enviro.aero AIR NAVIGATION 7
CANSO joins ACI Europe and Eurocontrol’s Debut of flightpath
partnership to combat airport congestion and marks new era in
reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions airspace modernisation
AMSTERDAM – CANSO has joined neers of the programme.
the ACI Europe and Eurocontrol partnership David McMillan, director general of Euro-
to increase operational efficiencies at Euro- control said, “A-CDM is also a fine illustra-
pean airports. The threat of climate change, tion of the way that improvements in perfor-
the global economic crisis and the resulting mance can often be achieved without major
changes in the structure of the European capital expenditure. But it depends upon part-
aviation market have led to a renewed focus nership – working together to improve perfor-
on efficiency and performance for Europe’s mance. It is based on an integrated approach,
airports. with information being shared across differ-
In October 2008, ACI Europe and Euro- ent players. It emphasises the network nature
control signed a collaboration to increase of ATM where an apparently local decision
operational efficiencies at European airports. can have implications across Europe. And of
This collaboration revolves around the imple- course it is focused on airports – at the heart
mentation of an innovative operating practice of the need to increase capacity.”
called Airport Collaborative Decision-Mak- Olivier Jankovec, director general ACI Eu-
ing (A-CDM) which allows airports into the rope commented, “I am delighted to welcome
Air Traffic Management network and vice CANSO into this initiative, as the enhanced,
versa. This gives users access to a range of timely exchange of information that is at the
operational data allowing them to make their heart of A-CDM creates a virtuous circle of
operations more efficient. Successful imple- operational gains on the ground for all part- The introduction of advanced airspace
mentation of A-CDM leads to significant ners involved: airports, air navigation service design tools will lead to reductions in
reduction in CO2 emissions, which in providers, airlines and ground handlers. Ulti- congestion – at airports and in the air. Air Transport Action Group Board members Bill Glover (Boeing), Hélène Gagnon
turn helps airlines save fuel. mately, this optimisation of resources helps to (Bombardier) and Alan Epstein (Pratt & Whitney) join executive director Paul Steele (at
Today at the 5th Annual ACI Europe Air- make the journey smoother for the passenger WINDSOR LOCKS – As American Air- back) to launch the Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Efficiency at the 2010 Farnborough Air
port Exchange, CANSO – the global trade and reduces environmental impact.” lines Flight 1916 touched down at Bradley Show. The guide is available from the website www.enviro.aero/aviationefficiency and
body for Air Traffic Management – is join- Graham Lake, director general of CANSO International Airport, it became the first-ever was made possible due to the support of Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and
ing this partnership, giving the initiative even said, “Delivering operational improvements United States flight to use a publicly avail- Embraer. Photo courtesy Flightglobal.com
more momentum. Over the last two years, the through collaborative partnerships is a key able, commercially designed instrument
flight path. The event heralds an acceleration
A-CDM programme has made great progress objective of CANSO. I am delighted that we
of airspace modernisation efforts that use
ATAG grows with Introducing ATAG
with more than 30 airports so far engaged in have been approached to assist with this valu-
implementing the programme. able A-CDM project. CDM is a key compo- precise ‘highways in the sky’ to reduce de- addition of new high- Established in 1990 by Airbus, Boeing
The latest target was announced in Octo- nent of the European Flight Efficiency plan, lays, slash aircraft CO2 emissions and level members and the International Air Transport As-
ber: to have A-CDM fully implemented at ten which CANSO supports, and over the com- improve airline operating efficiency. sociation, ATAG has grown to be the only
of these airports by the end of 2011. Further ing months CANSO’s European members Naverus, a part of GE Aviation, designed GENEVA – The Air Transport Action industry association representing all sectors
roll-out of the programme will continue with will be working with our airport partners and the path, which incorporates Required Navi- Group, the only global organisation to rep- of commercial aviation sector – airlines, air-
ACI Europe, Eurocontrol and CANSO all ac- colleagues at Eurocontrol to find ways to ac- gation Performance technology (RNP), a resent all sectors of the aviation industry, ports, air navigation service providers and
tively encouraging new participants, through celerate CDM roll-out in Europe.” core component of the FAA’s NextGen air- has announced at the global Aviation & the major aircraft and engine manufactur-
promotion of the benefits gained early pio- space modernisation plan. RNP paths can be Environment Summit the addition of a new ers. “We are really fortunate to have a strong
custom-tailored to reduce airport congestion, Board member: Honeywell Aerospace; and Board of Directors,” says Paul Steele, the
shorten trip distance, reduce an aircraft’s two new associate members: ATR and the group’s executive director, “our Board is
NATS on target for 10% CO2 cut by time in flight, and create community-friendly
flight trajectories that lessen the effect of air-
Aerospace Industries Association.
Paul Steele, ATAG’s executive director,
fully committed and actively engaged in our
activities.
2020 as new CEO urges faster pace craft noise.
“This flight marked a significant milestone
said, “The Air Transport Action Group is
the forum where the industry can come to-
“ATAG focuses on issues that are not
competitive in nature; issues where there is
LONDON – NATS, the UK’s leading air for the flying public by augmenting the means gether and work towards common solutions common interest. Therefore our work is all
traffic control company, has announced that to develop and deploy airspace improve- to common issues. We are the only group about collaboration – bringing together the
it is on course to achieve its ground-breaking ments in the USA that will translate to fewer that represents the broad spectrum of the air engineers, the economists, the policy people
emission reduction programme as it reports delays, less air pollution and greater system transport sector at a global level.” – all those who have a clear vision for the
annual savings of 50,000 tonnes of reliability,” said Naverus general manager Honeywell Aerospace joins Airports sector and are committed to our industry’s
CO2. Steve Forte. “Modernising the US air traffic Council International, Airbus, Boeing, environmentally sustainable future.
In 2008, the company became the first air management system is a monumental task Bombardier, the Civil Air Navigation Ser- “Aviation has, for many years, held safety
traffic control provider to set targets to co- that requires the best efforts of government vices Organisation, CFM International, and security to be absolute priorities, where
operate with the industry to reduce ATM CO2 and private sectors alike. We have shown Embraer, GE Aviation, the International Air even the fiercest of competitors work to-
by an average of 10% of per flight by 2020. how third-party navigation providers, like Transport Association, Pratt & Whitney and gether for the good of the industry. Since the
Today, NATS has published its second an- GE, and airlines, like American, are helping Rolls-Royce on the Board of ATAG. Aviation & Environment Summit of 2008,
nual report, which shows that 50,000 tonnes accelerate these improvements.” “We also welcome as associate members the same can be said for environment.”
of CO2 were saved last year. It also details The new landing procedure, which became the regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, In addition to the funding members that
how the company staged the first “perfect a permanent fixture at Bradley Airport re- which rounds out the top five airframe make up ATAG’s Board, the group has some
flight”, between Heathrow and Edinburgh, to need to ensure we are focused on delivering cently, allows pilots to use onboard technol- manufacturers as members of ATAG, and 50 members ranging from trade unions to
demonstrate the ideal fuel-saving trajectory benefits to our customers and for the environ- ogy to follow a precise track, independent of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), chambers of commerce and representatives
for aircraft. ment.” aging ground-based navigation beacons that bringing expertise from their large member- of all parts of the air transport value chain.
Chief executive Richard Deakin, who took Deakin added that other companies had limit where the aircraft can go. As a result, ship in the United States.”
over in April, told the ATAG Aviation and already approached NATS to learn from its the Bradley procedure will enable airliners
Environment Summit in Geneva, that NATS approach in both its air network plans and the to land on Runway 15 during periods of low
had made good progress and must build on its project to make its buildings and day-to-day clouds and visibility that previously would Green Flight Times
achievements to ensure it meets the climate activities carbon neutral by 2011. have stopped them from landing there.
Published by the
challenge. The report also notes that 150 fuel-saving The inaugural flight carried as a passenger
Air Transport Action Group (ATAG).
He said, “This is a win-win. The work we suggestions from airlines and NATS staff GE Aviation’s Technical Fellow for Air Traf-
are doing not only removes CO2 from the at- are being put into practice. It also covers the fic Management, Steve Fulton, a long-time 33 Route de l’Aéroport
mosphere, it also means cheaper fuel bills for partnership with the Irish Aviation Authority champion of RNP who developed the world’s Geneva 1215
the airlines and greener airport operations. to create Europe’s first functional airspace first RNP flight paths in the mid 1990s. Switzerland
“NATS has devised the toolkit to measure block. “RNP flight paths are an important part of
the emissions produced by our network – no NATS’ carbon reduction target is in line a larger GE effort that is pioneering new ways www.atag.org
other air traffic controller has done this. In a with international aspirations. The Inter- to optimise aircraft operations from gate to
+41 22 770 2672
way, this is the key to unlock air traffic sys- governmental Panel on Climate Change has gate,” said Fulton. “Other components of this
tems across the world to see where and how identified potential for cuts in aircraft fuel effort include advanced features of GE flight Publication produced in late November 2010 from
press releases issued by partners across the aviation
savings can be achieved. burn attributed to air traffic management of computers, like the one aboard the American
sector. ATAG bears no responsibility for the accuracy of
“As the aviation industry moves towards between six to 12% by 2020. SESAR, the Airlines flight, which allow pilots to fly RNP Paul Steele welcomes Mario Formica of the content of these press releases which are supplied
a more sustainable future, a future which project to harmonise air traffic control across paths and enable them to select pre-designat- ATR to Associate Membership of the Air for information purposes only.
cannot happen unless air traffic control is Europe, has set its benchmark of 10% by the ed arrival times at runways and even at exact Transport Action Group. © ATAG 2010
matching the pace the airlines are setting, we same year. points along the route”.
ONE: We will improve fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5% per year from now until 2020.
TWO: We will cap our net emissions from 2020 through carbon neutral growth.
THREE: By 2050, our net emissions will be half of what they were in 2005.
Visit www.enviro.aero to discover more about these targets and learn about the many different ways the commercial aviation industry is reducing our climate impact.
8 FACTS & FIGURES Green Flight Times
September - November 2010
628,000,000 tonnes
Worldwide, flights produced 628 million tonnes of CO2 last year.
82%
A jet aircraft coming off the production line today is around 80%
Globally, humans produced over 30 billion tonnes of CO2. more fuel efficient per seat km than one delivered in the 1960s.
2% 12%
1,715 airlines operate a fleet
of 23,000 aircraft serving
3,750 airports through a route
The global aviation industry Aviation is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all The aviation industry network of millions of kms
produces around 2% of all transport sources, compared to 74% from road transport. consumes around 1.5 billion managed by 160 air navigation
human-induced carbon barrels of Jet A-1 fuel annually. service providers.
dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Nearly a quarter of the operating costs of airlines is spent on fuel:
Over 33 million people are employed worldwide in aviation 23%, which is up from 13% in 2001. The proportion is likely to
activities and related tourism. Of this, 5.5 million people work rise further as fuel prices go up. So this alone is a major incentive
directly in the aviation industry. for the industry to focus on fuel efficiency.
Aviation.
$1.3 trillion
In order for the aviation industry to reach its target of 1.5%
average fleet fuel efficiency per annum from now until 2020, the
80%
Alternative fuels, particularly sustainable biofuels, have been
identified as excellent candidates for helping achieve the industry
2.2 billion
In 2009, over 2.2 billion
passengers were carried by
world’s airlines will have to purchase 12,000 new aircraft at a targets. Biofuels derived from biomass such as algae, jatropha the world’s airlines.
cost of $1.3 trillion. and camelina have been shown to reduce the carbon footprint of
aviation fuel by up to 80% over their full lifecycle. If commercial
Airlines saved 3.8 million tonnes of CO2 in 2007 and 6 million
tonnes in 2006 by shortening air traffic routes around the world.
aviation were to get 6% of its fuel supply from biofuel by 2020,
this would reduce its overall carbon footprint by 5%.
If aviation were a country, it
76%
Stabilise
From 2020, net carbon emissions from aviation will be capped
could be making their way
into commercial flights in 3
to 5 years. Once production
Switzerland).
50%
30%
AIRCRAFT
COACH
TRAIN
35%
CAR
80%
shipments, it is over 35% by value – meaning that goods shipped
by air are very high value commodities, often times perishable or
time-sensitive.
Around 80% of aviation CO2 emissions are emitted from flights of over 1,500 kilometres, for which
there is no practical alternative mode of transport. Deliveries of fresh produce from Africa to the UK alone supports
the livelihoods of 1.5 million people, while producing less CO2
3 litres
The new Airbus A380, Boeing
The aviation industry was the only global sector to present a
united plan for reducing its emissions to governments at the 2009
Copenhagen Climate Talks.
than similar produce grown in the UK, despite the energy used in
transport.
aircraft use less than 3 litres IATA Economics, ATAG Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Efficiency, IPCC,
ICAO, United Kingdom Department for Transport, Oxford Economics Study
of jet fuel per 100 passenger Aviation: the Real World Wide Web, Airbus, Boeing, ATAG Beginner’s
kilometres. This matches the The South African horn made infamous at the 2010 World Cup, Guide to Aviation Efficiency, ATAG report The Social and Economic Benefits
efficiency of most modern the vuvuzela, at full blast is rated at 127 decibels. An A380 on the of Air Travel, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), IATA,
compact cars. other hand takes off with a relative whisper at 82dB. ATAG, BBC News, AERO modelling system.