Where do we stand on green planes?
"Green" is a hot topic, climate change is evident, and states are trying to rush [...]
The theme "green" is a very hot topic, climate change is obvious and states are trying to run for cover before it is too late. Recently, the European Union declared a stop to the sale of fuel cars in the 2035 And new facilities for projects that promote green.
In this article:
Looking at the aviation world instead, how is the situation?
Although there are already Companies that have bought or booked electric aircraft, in the world of civil aviation, electric has unfortunately yet to make much road. In fact, the aircraft in production are mostly small aircraft or shuttles that have a range of up to at best 300/400 km, With long charging times.
Here to try to be more sustainable while waiting for technology to improve, each airline has its own program by sustainability.
More efficient and green planes
The special livery of the newborn ITA Airways "Born to be Sustainable" celebrates the Italian airline's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. The aircraft in question is an A350-900, a concentrated innovations: Through the use of new materials, such as titanium and aluminum alloys, weight has been decreased by the 70%, thereby lowering the fuel consumption of the 25%.
Other carriers, such as Delta e American Airlines, have replaced many of their aircraft with more fuel-efficient means. All Nippon Airways recently unveiled its "Future Promise Aircraft," namely a Boeing 787-8, JA874A and a B787-9, JA871A with a special green livery.
ANA's program is one of the most comprehensive; in fact, the Japanese company aims to reduce the waste on board and at the airport, taking advantage of the recycling and the use of packaging compostables o reusable: no plastic, meals will be made from ingredients grown in compost. ANA is also involved in numerous sustainable projects, in 2020 for example, it collaborated with the Japanese space agency JAXA For a project on the atmosphere and control of the global warming.
Turkish Airlines is also committed to the sustainable, livery indicates that the Turkish company is using in some of its aircraft a mixture of sustainable fuel called SAF. The company adopts a "zero waste" principle, meaning materials are used on board recyclables Or sustainable for services.
The aircraft of the ecoDemonstrator program
Not just colorful liveries and environmentally friendly fuel, some airlines are turning some planes into actual places where they test new technologies. Two companies out of all are. Alaska Airlines and Etihad who launched the program ecoDemonstrator. Basically, they have equipped some of their aircraft with technology to analyze and provide in-flight information on the use of fuel, reduction of noise, reduction of emissions and impact of the sustainable materials in flight.
Alaska's program has in service a Boeing 737-9 Max on which up to 20 different technologies, same thing Etihad Which has one of its Boeing 787s as a test. The results resulted in a reduction of up to 72% of carbon emissions on some flights and achieved a reduction of the 56% Of the overall carbon footprint between 2018 and 2021.
There are many initiatives, such as that of the airline ACMI Hi Fly which is the first totally free of plastic disposable; there are also carriers that offer the option of offsetting the carbon footprint with a small surcharge in the ticket. The fact of the matter is that it is important for each of us in our own small way to do what we can to reduce its carbon footprint And lend a hand to the environment.
