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New data proves NATS is hitting environmental targets

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:03:57 GMT

The tool, known as 3Di, was developed by NATS to help air traffic control route flight paths as close to the environmental optimum as possible by accurately measuring the efficiency of each flight in UK airspace. By extending existing horizontal flight efficiency tracking to include vertical elements, 3Di quantifies the benefits delivered by air traffic controllers through continuous climb departures, cruise levels as requested by airspace users and continuous descents, as well as most direct point-to-point routeings.

During its first three months in operation, 3Di has derived an indexed score of 24, which is exactly the target set to deliver the expected fuel and emissions savings to airlines. This score is on par for the three-year incentivised performance target agreed by NATS and the UK’s specialist aviation regulator, the CAA. Under this scheme, NATS stands to be financially rewarded for exceeding the target or penalised for failing to deliver the expected efficiency gains.

“After three years in development, the adoption of our 3Di tool has been seamless and it is even more encouraging to see that it is delivering savings at the targeted level already,” said Ian Jopson, Head of Environmental Affairs, NATS. “There is a long way to go to meet our three-year target across increasing traffic volumes and seasonal traffic peaks, but this is a really good start and our customers have welcomed the value it adds to their operational and financial performance.”

NATS’ environmental strategy is based on delivering long term structural improvements to airspace efficiency, as well as focusing on a targeted programme of shorter term operational changes designed to enhance environmantal performance. During 2011, NATS delivered 26 of these specific near term changes to procedures in order to improve flight profiles and CO₂ emissions. This, coupled with a company-wide programme to increase awareness of the need to improve airspace efficiency, will drive sustainable improvements to flight path efficiency resulting in cost and emissions savings for airlines.

NATS

President of the Maldives Urges ATM Efficiency Improvements for the Sustainable Growth of Aviation

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:58:26 GMT

CANSO and the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) welcomed President Waheed and more than 100 air traffic management leaders (ATM) leaders to the CANSO Asia-Pacific Conference, 1-3 May, to discuss the growth of air transport in a sustainable manner.

In the keynote address, President Waheed recognised the important role of aviation and commended CANSO’s vision for transforming air traffic management performance.

“Air travel is almost synonymous with modern life. It is the fastest growing means of transportation where total passenger traffic is doubling every 15 years.”

“Transforming air traffic management for sustainable growth […] is very important for the sake of our environment, our future and our survival.”

“The consequences of environmental neglect and complacency are no more debatable.”

The highest point of the Maldives’ 1,100 small islands is around 1.5m. Therefore, any rise in sea level poses a serious threat. President Waheed said that the country is doing all it can to reduce its carbon footprint and is working with the private sector to implement bold policies that mitigate CO2 production.

“Institutions like CANSO, just like governments, can bring about changes to redress environmental damage and neglect, and improve the situation.”

President Waheed said that aviation can contribute to a clean environment through more efficient aircraft, the use of biofuels, new air traffic management technologies and procedures, and improved airspace design.

“This issue requires the will to act, the will to take decisive steps and the will to take leadership. This is the defining issue of our generation.”

Mohamed Ibrahim, CEO & MD of the Maldives Airports Co. Ltd said that the Maldives is an appropriate location to discuss the role of air traffic management in the context of climate change and the sustainable growth of air transport.

“As a small island nation, building sustainable transport systems is essential for the country’s development; not only for the growth of the tourism industry, but for healthy and vibrant island communities.”

Mr Ibrahim called on delegates to learn from the examples set by other regions, and to embrace change and new technologies for improving air traffic management efficiency.

Greg Russell, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific CANSO CEO Committee (APC3) and CEO of Airservices Australia reflected on annual traffic growth projections of more than 7% in Asia-Pacific, compared to the global average of 5.1%.

“The challenge is managing substantial aviation growth efficiently as possible,” he said, noting that airspace users are looking to Air Navigation Service Providers to help them save fuel and cut CO2 emissions through air traffic management efficiency improvements.

Mr Russell pointed to several examples of where new systems and procedures are being implemented within borders, but added that further progress relies on increased regional collaboration and a regional approach to managing Asia’s skies.

Samantha Sharif, CANSO Director General (Interim) referred to the recently published CANSO-Boeing white paper, which calls on aviation stakeholders to work together to accelerate ATM efficiency improvements and deliver a step-change in ATM performance.

“The aviation industry has set itself a goal of carbon neutral growth by 2020 and a 50% reduction by 2050. Air Traffic Management is currently 92-94% efficient but there is much more work to be done.”

A wide range of industry speakers also raised the need for enhanced cross-border collaboration, civil-military cooperation, and the Aviation System Block Upgrades; a global ATM modernisation framework developed by the aviation community and facilitated by ICAO, the United Nations organisation for civil aviation, as a means for improving ATM efficiency.

CANSO

Cathay Pacific named Caring Company for tenth consecutive year

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cathay Pacific has been awarded the Caring Company Logo every year since the Caring Company Scheme was launched in 2003. The airline won the top honour, the “Total Caring Award”, in 2010. This year, the airline has again been recognised for its continued commitment to caring for the well-being of the community, its employees and the environment with the 10 Consecutive Years Caring Company Logo – a special award to mark the scheme’s 10th Anniversary.

For the latest award, Cathay Pacific was nominated by the following seven non-governmental organisations (in alphabetical order): Caritas – Hong Kong, Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, Hong Kong Red Cross, Life Education Activity Programme, Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, and World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Affairs Quince Chong said: “Cathay Pacific is honoured and privileged to receive the 10 Consecutive Years Caring Company Logo from the HKCSS, based on the nominations received from such outstanding community organisations. Our airline has a deep and lasting commitment to being a socially responsible organisation and we have put a lot of effort into demonstrating this commitment across a number of areas, including the community, the environment and towards our employees. Receiving this latest honour from HKCSS will strengthen our resolve to take our drive towards sustainability to the next level.”

The following are the areas where Cathay Pacific has demonstrated a clear commitment towards corporate social responsibility.

Caring for the community
Leveraging the uniqueness of the airline business, Cathay Pacific motivates its staff to serve the community in different areas through the CX Volunteers corporate volunteer team. Its initiatives range from smaller projects responding to the specific needs of local communities to flagship youth programmes such as the aviation-oriented “I Can Fly” programme and “English on Air” for secondary school students. The airline’s volunteers clocked up more than 210,000 hours of community work between 2004 and 2011.

Since the Cathay Pacific/UNICEF Change for Good Inflight Fundraising Programme was launched in 1991, spare change worth more than HK$91 million has been collected from passengers to help UNICEF projects in more than 150 developing countries. The airline has also made a wide range of other charitable donations as well as participating in fundraising activities following major disasters such as the Sichuan earthquake and last year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Caring for employees
Cathay Pacific takes pride in its strong and motivated team and is committed to attracting and retaining the best people. The airline aims to provide rewarding career opportunities through a motivating work environment and ongoing personal development and training, at the same time providing comprehensive benefits, a counselling service and a wide range of recreational and social activities for all its employees.

Caring for the environment
Cathay Pacific is deeply committed to reducing the impact of its operations on the environment, implementing a number of environment-friendly practices both on the ground and in the air. The airline has worked to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by modernising its fleet, adopting flexible routes and reducing weight on its aircraft. It also runs an inflight recycling programme, and Cathay Pacific was the first Asian airline to launch a carbon-offset initiative, named FLY greener, in 2007. This allows passenger to pay to offset the emissions generated by their travel.

More information on Cathay Pacific’s corporate social responsibility initiatives can be found in its 2010 Sustainable Development Report, available for download through the airline’s website.

Boeing Designs Advanced Technology Winglet for 737 MAX - New technology to give MAX customers up to additional 1.5% fuel-burn reduction

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:32:45 GMT

"The Advanced Technology winglet demonstrates Boeing's continued drive to improve fuel burn and the corresponding value to the customer. With this technology and others being built into the MAX, we will extend our leadership," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Incorporating this advanced technology into the 737 MAX design will give our customers even more advantage in today's volatile fuel price environment."

Compared to today's wingtip technology, which provides up to a 4 percent fuel-burn advantage at long ranges, the Advanced Technology winglet provides a total fuel-burn improvement of up to 5.5 percent on the same long routes.

"The concept is more efficient than any other wingtip device in the single-aisle market because the effective wing span increase is uniquely balanced between the upper and lower parts of the winglet," said Michael Teal, chief project engineer, 737 MAX.

Boeing aerodynamicists used advanced computational fluid dynamics to combine rake tip technology with a dual feather winglet concept into one advanced treatment for the wings of the 737 MAX. The Advanced Technology winglet fits within today's airport gate constraints while providing more effective span thereby reducing drag. Ongoing 737 MAX testing in the wind tunnel validated the new concept on the airplane.

The super-efficient design has been incorporated into the 737 MAX design and production system plans. "We have assessed the risk and understand how to leverage this new technology on the MAX within our current schedule," said Teal. "This puts us on track to deliver substantial additional fuel savings to our customers in 2017." Airlines operating the 737 MAX now will gain an 18 percent fuel-burn per-seat improvement over today's A320. Depending on the range of the mission, MAX operators will realize even more savings.

"Adding the Advanced Technology winglet to the 737 MAX is consistent with our demonstrated performance on delivering increasing value to our customers, on time, throughout the life of the 737 program," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manger, 737 program.

To date, the 737 MAX has more than 1,000 orders and commitments from 16 customers worldwide.

www.boeing.com

'Continuous Descent Operation' now used at over 80 airports

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Luckily, there is a solution: Continuous Descent Operation - CDO - which helps substantially in minimising aircraft operations’ environmental impact.

CDO offers a flexible continuous descent and approach flight path that delivers major environmental and economic benefits without any adverse affect on safety.

The rapid deployment of CDO throughout Europe, even on a limited basis (that is, limited by hours of operation and commencement height), will empower the network to respond positively to environmental challenges.

The initial target of this collaborative effort was to see CDO adopted by at least 100 ECAC airports by December 2013. However, the momentum has been such that this target has been revised upwards to at least 200 airports by end 2014.

The implementation of CDO is producing tangible results and April 2012 saw over 80 European airports offering some form of CDO for some or all of their daily operations.

The Network Operations Plan 2012-2014 foresees the evolution of CDO in that its use will become more widespread, used for longer (in hours of operation) and from higher levels (the ultimate aim being from Top of Descent).

This will be achieved by changes to the airspace architecture and the widespread availability of harmonised support tools for controllers, which will ensure lateral and/or vertical segregation without impeding the optimum profile.

The EUROCONTROL CDO implementation team is working with stakeholders (ANSPs, aircraft manufacturers and aviation industry associations such as IATA, ERA, ACI and CANSO) to maximize those benefits which are achievable in the current ATM framework. They also support the facilitation of more advanced CDO that will result from the deployment of future ATM tools and procedures.

Interactive CDA Map

An Interactive CDA Map allows you to visualize the airports’ implementation status. It is accessible via the EUROCONTROL extranet, OneSky Online. To view the map, you need to be registered. Click here to access OneSky Online.

Once registered, forward your details to the CDA email address to be added to the list of recognised users of the map.

For more information you can contact Paul Adamson, Head of Airports Unit, DNM.

Note: the ICAO expression CDO now replaces Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) as the term of reference

WestJet unveils electric baggage tug on Earth Day

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As part of a pilot project, the airline worked alongside Corvus Energy, a Richmond-based technology company, to re-engineer the tug to be powered by lithium polymer batteries, removing the need for any fossil fuel to power the equipment. The tug, which began operating in October at Calgary International Airport, successfully performed in frigid temperatures, without incident, throughout the winter.

"Implementing this new technology is a key part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability," said Cam Kenyon, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Operations. "As an airline, we believe in investing in new ideas that will help keep our maintenance and fuel costs low, which in turn allows us to continue to deliver low fares and high value to our guests."

"The successful integration of Corvus Energy's lithium ion battery systems into WestJet's ground support equipment represents a tremendous validation of our technology," said Brent Perry, chief executive officer of Corvus Energy. "The introduction of a lithium ion GSE solution is a significant development for the aviation sector in terms of environmental impact and worker safety and we're pleased to be at the forefront."

Airlines have been wanting to improve electric units for many years said Perry. "To date, our solution is the only battery technology that requires no maintenance, works in extreme cold or hot temperatures, as well as charging faster and outlasting the incumbent technology. It represents a major advance in the aviation industry with massive market potential."

The change to electric power has allowed the airline to continue its focus on on-time performance, as baggage can be transported to and from the aircraft on approximately 11 flights per day on a single charge.

In May, two electric baggage tugs will arrive in Whitehorse for the launch of daily service to the area, which begins May 17. The airline expects the technology to be effective in the Yukon's cold weather temperatures where lead-acid batteries are prone to freezing and cannot be recharged once frozen, and where gas-powered tugs are not permitted in the airport's ground-level baggage areas.

Environmental innovations are part of WestJet's commitment to responsible growth. In November 2011, WestJet attained gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for its Calgary campus. WestJet's greenhouse gas environmental policy focuses on investing in fuel-efficient jet aircraft and technology to maximize operating efficiently and safely. Between 2000 and 2010, the airline improved fuel efficiency by 43.4 per cent, per litre, per revenue tonne kilometer, resulting in fuel savings equivalent to the amount of fuel used fly from Calgary to Toronto and back 34,700 times (based on our 2010 fuel usage). WestJet remains the North American leader in the use of blended winglet technology. These wing-tip extensions reduce fuel consumption by up to 2.7 per cent per flight on our 737 700-and 800-series aircraft.

Westjet

First Commercial sustainable aviation fuel flight to Tasmania

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

David Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Australia & New Zealand said the airline joined a handful of carriers around the world who have operated sustainable aviation fuel flights.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Jetstar and today we are the first low fares carrier in the Asia Pacific region to operate a commercial sustainable aviation fuel flight,” Mr Hall said.

“We chose Hobart as the destination for the biofuel flight because of Tasmania’s commitment to sustainable tourism and reflecting its unique environment.”

Tasmanian Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon said: “It’s wonderful to see Tasmania being chosen by Jetstar as the destination for their biofuel powered commercial flight.

“Sufficient and reliable access to our island state isn’t just important for tourism, it’s a fundamental requirement for our economy and our community.”

Tourism Tasmania CEO Tony Mayell congratulated Jetstar on its commitment to the initiative and to Tasmania generally.

“Tasmania has prided itself on its widespread use of renewable energy, and as an island state that is very proud and protective of our unmatched natural environment,” Mr Mayell said.

“Jetstar’s commitments to reduce fuel costs, achieve lower emissions and create a more sustainable aviation sector can only benefit Tasmania in the long run.”

Mr Hall said Jetstar, as part of the Qantas Group, welcomes the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a feasibility study into a sustainable aviation fuel industry.

“We are keen to examine alternatives to regular jet fuel that would help reduce emissions and support an industry which could potentially generate up to 12,000 jobs over the next 20 years,” Mr Hall said.

“Fuel makes up around 40 per cent of our costs and investigating alternative fuel sources is not only sustainable environmentally but if financially sustainable and would help Jetstar continue to offer low fares and drive new markets.”

Supplied by SkyNRG, the fuel type is a 50:50 blend of biofuel and conventional jet fuel certified for use in commercial aviation. Its ‘life cycle’ carbon footprint is around 60 per cent smaller than that of conventional jet fuel.

Jetstar launched services to Tasmania in May 2004 and operates a total of 92 weekly return services from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

During the 2011 financial year, Jetstar carried more than 1.25 million passengers on services across Bass Strait.

Our passengers have the option to offset their share of flight emissions when they fly by choosing the carbon offset option when booking on Jetstar.com.

United Launches Enhanced Carbon Offset Program in Celebration of Earth Day

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

"We provide an incredibly efficient service to hundreds of thousands of customers every day and continue to focus on investments in the latest fuel-efficient aircraft, advancement of biofuels and operational improvements," said Jimmy Samartzis, managing director of global environmental affairs and sustainability for United Airlines. "Our Eco-Skies commitment to the environment drives action today, and our redeveloped carbon offset program now enables customers to contribute to emission-reducing projects in communities we serve."

After booking a trip with United, customers have the opportunity to visit United's carbon offset program website (http://co2offsets.sustainabletravelinternational.org/ua/offsets) to make a contribution to offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with the travel. While calculations are based on a comprehensive carbon footprint of the flight operations, the calculator only assigns the emissions associated with individual passenger travel. Through its partnership with Sustainable Travel International (STI), a non-profit organization, United offers customers a choice of three carbon reduction projects in communities it serves: forest conservation near San Francisco, wind power in Texas, biodiversity preservation in Belize:

Forest Conservation in California - The 23,780-acre Garcia River Forest, located in the Redwood region. The forestland was purchased by The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting America's most vital landscapes and waterways, and was established as California's first non-profit working forest.

Renewable Energy in Texas - The Capricorn Ridge Wind farm is located in west central Texas and is comprised of more than 400 wind turbines that are capable of producing enough clean, renewable electricity to power approximately 220,000 homes annually.

Forest and Biodiversity Conservation in Belize - The Boden Creek Ecological Preserve, which environmentalists believe is one of the most-threatened tropical forests in Central America, is made up of 13,600 acres of lowland broadleaf forest. The preserve serves as a critical wildlife corridor that connects diverse inland terrestrial ecosystems with coastal marine ecosystems.

"Our enhanced carbon offset program allows our customers to join us in taking meaningful actions that reduce our impact on the environment," said Samartzis. "Focusing on the environment is inextricably linked to our business and to our future growth as we continue to make progress in priority areas such as fuel-efficiency and commercialization of sustainable biofuels, and we're excited to offer customers a way to contribute as well."

Eco-Skies

United is committed to the environment through its Eco-Skies program, which is designed to make a positive impact on the environment - in the air, on the ground, at its facilities, with business partners and across communities.

Eco-Skies highlights include:

-- United operated the first U.S. passenger biofuel flight powered with a mixture of renewable algae-derived jet fuel and conventional jet fuel, and signed letters of intent to negotiate the purchase of more than 50 million gallons of sustainable biofuels.

-- The airline's investments in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft and equipment have resulted in a 32 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

-- More than 300 aircraft in United's mainline operations are equipped with winglets that deliver up to a 5 percent reduction in emissions and noise.

-- More than 3,600 ground service equipment vehicles, or approximately 26 percent of these vehicles, are electric or alternatively fueled.

-- During the last five years, United recycled more than 20 million pounds of cans, paper and plastic items from waste generated inflight and at its facilities.

-- Eco-Teams, comprised of cross-divisional representatives, are at every hub and major maintenance facility.

For more information on United's environmental commitment, visit www.united.com/eco-skies.

Boeing and ANA Celebrate First 787 Biofuel Flight

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:00:30 GMT

"The 787 is the most environmentally progressive jetliner flying today, combining fuel efficiency and comfort with reduced carbon emissions," said Billy Glover, Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy.

The delivery flight between Boeing's Delivery Center in Everett, Wash. and Tokyo Haneda Airport is also the first ever transpacific biofuel flight.

"Our historic flight using sustainable biofuels across the Pacific Ocean highlights how innovative technology can be used to support our industry's goal of carbon-neutral growth beyond 2020," said Osamu Shinobe, ANA Senior Executive Vice President.

The 787 flew with biofuel made mainly from used cooking oil and emitted an estimated 30 percent less CO2 emissions when compared to today's similarly-sized airplanes. Of the reduction in greenhouse gasses, about 10 percent can be attributed to the use of biofuel and approximately 20 percent to the technology and efficiency advancements offered by the Dreamliner.

Made primarily from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public.

Boeing is at the forefront of the global effort to develop sustainable aviation biofuels, as part of the industry's strategy for lowering its carbon emissions.

Boeing

AFRA Launches New Best Management Practice (BMP) Guide for Recycling Aircraft Materials

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The new guide provides practical solutions for all those working in the field of aircraft parts and materials recycling, and the accompanying AFRA audit and accreditation program assures that the facilities operate in a safe and environmentally responsible fashion, while allowing businesses to find sustainable solutions for themselves and their customers.

Aircraft recyclers represent a growing proportion of AFRA membership; this new guide will help them capture maximum value from aircraft which have reached the end of revenue service, by increasing the amounts of materials that can be recycled and raising the overall residual value of the high-grade materials used in aircraft manufacturing.

The new guide has been developed by AFRA members whose business span the commercial aircraft life cycle, from original equipment manufacturing, through maintenance, leasing and operations, on to end-of-service disassembly, parts recovery and aircraft materials recycling. The publication collates industry best practice.

AFRA’s Executive Director Martin Fraissignes welcomed the launch of the new BMP Guide: ‘We are extremely proud of our new guide. It is a perfect example of industry taking the initiative in addressing the important issues which face the aircraft end-of-life industry. AFRA believes the new Guide and its accompanying audit and accreditation program enables businesses to develop a more systematic and specialized approach to aircraft materials recycling, which leads to better segregation, separation, and resale of these expensive materials.’

Scott Laughlin Vice-President Operations at Huron Valley Fritz West, one of the first companies to be accredited under AFRA’s new BMP Guide, stated: 'We believe AFRA Accredited companies will create improved value propositions and create increased business opportunities in a sector which increasingly appreciates a commitment to environmental best practice’.

Denis Oliver, Manager-Aerospace Business Development of ELG Metals, which has also received accreditation through the new AFRA BMP Guide, believes: ‘This new AFRA initiative undoubtedly promotes environmental and operational excellence in our sector, which is what we are dedicated to. We are happy to be associated with the new guide and have utilized it to assess and where necessary improve our practices and procedures.’

The new BMP Guide has been incorporated into AFRA’s Accreditation program, adding aircraft materials recycling to an already extensive list of retired aircraft management activities that were built into previous versions of the Program. The Guide will be used to review and audit a recycler’s facilities, procedures and documents, which are assessed and monitored by an independent auditor on an on-going basis.

Speaking at the launch of the new BMP in Las Vegas, AFRA Deputy Director Bill Carberry stated: ‘This new guide provides valuable solutions to aircraft materials recyclers who wish to be at the cutting edge of sustainable and environmental best practices in their industry. This publication reinforces AFRA’s leadership role in promoting environmental excellence in all areas of end-of-service aircraft’.

‘We believe AFRA Accredited companies will undoubtedly gain greater recognition, enabling them to improve to the services they offer their customers and cement relationships with suppliers of materials and parts who value environmental best practice.

AFRA

Porter Airlines Operates Bombardier Q400 Aircraft in Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The fuel was certified to the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566/D1655 standard and the biofuel used was derived from the oilseed crops, Camelina sativa* (49 per cent) and Brassica carinata* (one per cent). The aircraft’s other engine was powered by Jet A1 fuel. The flight included passengers making their way to Ottawa for business and pleasure, representatives from the biofuel test program’s partnering organizations and media.

This is the final step in a two-year project whose key members are Targeted Growth, Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt and Whitney Canada, the manufacturer of the PW150A engines that power the Q400 aircraft, and Porter Airlines. Funding for the biofuel test program was provided by the key partners, as well as by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) through the Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).

Additional support to the program was provided by Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., which grew the carinata and produced the carinata bio-oil; Sustainable Oils, which crushed the camelina to make the camelina bio-oil; Honeywell UOP, which converted the bio-oils into the bio-derived jet fuel to meet the D7566 standard; and SkyNRG who were responsible for logistics and blending meeting the D1655 specification.

“In a fitting tribute to Earth Day 2012, which is now less than a week away, we are delighted that one of our Bombardier Q400 turboprops has become the first aircraft to successfully conduct a biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada,” said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines. “The use of biofuels promises to significantly reduce the level of emissions produced by commercial aircraft worldwide, and Porter is honoured to have contributed to this test program in Canada.”

“The success of this biofuel test program, which utilized a BombardierQ400 aircraft, speaks volumes about the ability of the aviation and other communities to work together towards producing a more sustainable aviation industry,” said Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bombardier Aerospace. “But that’s not the only milestone achieved today. This is the first time that a revenue flight in Canada was powered by biofuel, so we’ve achieved a first for Canada. ”

“When this biofuel project was submitted in October 2010, the Private Sector Advisory Board, a strategic body comprised of respected Canadian industry leaders, approved it with complete confidence and praised it very high value added, world-class experts and very good focus,” said Sylvain Cofsky, Executive Director of GARDN. “Eighteen months later, today’s flight proves they were right and I am extremely proud of GARDN’s contribution to this very promising success in the field of aviation.”

"We are firmly committed to ensuring that our products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, outperforming the most stringent ICAO standards,” said Daniel Breitman, Vice President, Engine Development Programs, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We have implemented new technologies to significantly reduce fuel consumption, environmental emissions and engine noise in our latest generation of engines and we are developing cutting-edge green technologies for the future, to help the aerospace industry reach its commitment of reducing its overall footprint."

“Targeted Growth was very pleased to be involved in this project,” said Robert Woods, president, Targeted Growth. “Partnerships such as this one help demonstrate market confidence that spurs the critical research and development required to advance feedstock productivity.”

On February 9, 2012, in preparation for Porter’s revenue flight, Bombardier flew a Q400 turboprop test aircraft on the ASTM D7566/D1655 bio-derived jet fuel. This was the first such biofuel-powered test flight in Canada.

Bombardier

Airspace Optimisation key to unlocking Middle East Capacity

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NATS participated in the inaugural Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to discuss the pivotal role air traffic management must play in shaping the future of the aerospace, aviation and space sectors.

“This summit marks the growing importance of the Gulf Region to the international aviation industry. NATS is proud to participate in such an influential dialogue at this critical juncture in managing the rapid expansion of air traffic movements in the Middle East. Particularly here in UAE, where the forecast growth in aircraft movements is prompting serious consideration of how airspace can facilitate expansion,” said Paul Reid, NATS Services Managing Director.

“As domestic and international air travel increases across the region, now is the time for countries to implement effective, efficient air traffic management systems to ensure this growth occurs in a safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.”

At the summit, Senior Executives from NATS will speak on panels covering:

Investing in Airport Capacity While Keeping Customers Satisfied

Regulation, Profitability and Sustainability: how the environment, fuel prices and legislation impact airlines

Ensuring Safety in the Skies

NATS has worked with Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE to support the safety efficiency and environmental performance of their airspace and has recently appointed John Swift as Director, NATS Middle East, to establish a permanent presence in the region. Demonstrating NATS’ strong commitment to the region, John will be based in Abu Dhabi and responsible for developing the current and future Middle East activities into a significant, sustainable business.

“With the rapid growth of aviation driving economic growth in the Gulf Region, an optimised ATC network is vital to keep pace with the speed of development,” said John. “As airlines, airports and governments are taking bold steps to future-proof their airspace, we believe that NATS is the right partner to support this progress.”

NATS

Cooperation Key to Meeting Challenges in the Gulf Region

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Aviation has been at the center of the economic transformation in the Gulf region over the past 25 years. A study by Oxford Economics shows aviation in the Middle East supports 2.7 million jobs and $129 billion in GDP. Aviation’s role is set to grow rapidly as international passenger numbers rise from 77.1 million in 2010 to 220 million in 2030.

“Aviation’s ability to play a leading role in GDP growth is not guaranteed. It depends on having the right conditions in place to support competitive sustainable businesses. Many of these are beyond the direct control of airlines, and most require industry and government to work together with a common vision and purpose,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO in his address to the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Tyler identified a 4 point agenda for the region based on safety, security, infrastructure and the environment:

Safety: 2011 was the safest year in aviation history, with an accident rate of one Western-built jet hull loss for every 2.7 million flights, which is a 39% improvement on 2010. In the Middle East and North Africa, there was one hull loss for every 500,000 flights. “If aviation is to continue to deliver on its immense promise, safety must continue to be addressed as a community, working in partnership with governments and based on global standards, such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit,” said Tyler.

Infrastructure: The MENA region has invested more than $100 billion on airport projects. Tyler highlighted that this investment must be matched by similar commitments to efficient air traffic management (ATM) through harmonization and optimal routings. However Tyler warned that “Technology for technology’s sake and gold-plated solutions will not help us to reduce emissions, save fuel or increase airspace capacity. A better alternative is to work in close cooperation to develop operational procedures using existing and deployed technology that offer a sustainable business case for all,” said Tyler.

Environment: Aviation’s ability to fulfill future global demand for connectivity is contingent upon sustainability. To address aviation’s 2% contribution to man-made global CO2 emissions, airlines, airports, ANSPs and manufacturers have committed to (1) improve aircraft fuel efficiency by 1.5% annually to 2020; (2) cap net CO2 emissions from 2020; and (3) cut net carbon emissions from air transport in half by 2050 compared to 2005.

Tyler recognized that Qatar Airways, Rolls-Royce and others have formed the Qatar Advanced Biofuel Platform consortium to develop the world’s first large scale algae bio-jet value chain. “This is a positive development. To move from large scale use of sustainable biofuels for aviation we need governments around the world to initiate policies that will attract investment and de-risk the scaling-up of production,” said Tyler.

Security: IATA is developing a Checkpoint of the Future that will differentiate screening using passenger information that is already being collected for immigration purposes. This will be combined with technology that allows passengers to walk through checkpoints without stopping, disrobing or unpacking. “We have received support from major stakeholders, such as the European Commission, the Chinese government, the US Department of Homeland Security and Interpol. Sixteen countries have also endorsed a statement of principles for the checkpoint. I hope to see Middle East states signing up to the principles soon,” said Tyler.

Tony Tyler's Full Speech

IATA

Qantas Announces Feasibility Study for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:15:06 GMT

The Hon Martin Ferguson MP, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, announced the government’s support for the study this morning. He was speaking ahead of Australia’s first flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel, operated by Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide using a fuel type derived from recycled cooking oil.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the project would explore the conditions needed for the production of aviation biofuel from sustainable sources within Australia.

“Today is a historic occasion in Australian aviation,” Mr Joyce said. “We are delighted to be operating Australia’s first sustainable aviation fuel flights and to be launching a study into the feasibility of producing such fuel in this country.”

“Alternatives to conventional jet fuel are vital to the aviation industry meeting ambitious targets for carbon-neutral growth and emissions reduction.

“Australia has the skills, resources and infrastructure to take a lead in this emerging sector, which the CSIRO has estimated could generate up to 12,000 jobs over the next 20 years. But there are also significant challenges – which is why we need to establish a clear plan.

“Until sustainable aviation fuel is produced commercially at a price competitive with conventional jet fuel, we will not be able to realise its true benefits. This study aims to tell us how that can be achieved in Australia.”

QF1121 departs Sydney at 10:20am this morning and will arrive in Adelaide at 12:05pm. The return flight, QF1120, will depart Adelaide at 1:35pm, arriving in Sydney at 4:00pm.

On 19 April, Jetstar flights JQ705 and JQ706 from Melbourne to Hobart and back will be powered by the same fuel type used in today’s Qantas flights, underlining the Qantas Group’s commitment to sustainable aviation fuel.

Government funding for the study will be allocated under the Emerging Renewables Program, while Shell will provide technical support. The study will commence in May.

Qantas

Boeing Makes 737 MAX Design Decisions - New-engine variant to offer customers substantial fuel savings in 2017

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:12:07 GMT

"The 737 MAX is on-track to deliver substantial fuel-savings to customers starting in 2017," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager, 737 program. "We've made several design decisions that support the performance targets for the MAX and evolve the Next-Generation 737's design within the scope of the 737 MAX program."

Those design decisions include:

Aft body aerodynamic improvements: The tail cone will be extended and the section above the elevator thickened to improve steadiness of air flow. This eliminates the need for vortex generators on the tail. These improvements will result in less drag, giving the airplane better performance.

Engine installation: The new CFM International LEAP-1B engines will be integrated with the wing similar to the aerodynamic lines of the 787 Dreamliner engine with its wing. A new pylon and strut, along with an 8-inch nose gear extension, will maintain similar ground clearance to today's 737 while accommodating the larger engine fan. The nose gear door design is altered to fit with this revision.

Flight control and system updates: The flight controls will include fly-by-wire spoilers, which will save weight by replacing a mechanical system. The MAX also will feature an electronic bleed air system, allowing for increased optimization of the cabin pressurization and ice protection systems, resulting in better fuel burn.

Other minor changes to the airplane include strengthening the main landing gear, wing and fuselage to accommodate the increase in loads due to the larger engines. Boeing will continue to conduct aerodynamic, engine and airplane trade studies as the team works to optimize the design of the airplane by mid-2013.

"We also continue to do work in the wind tunnel to affirm the low- and high-speed performance of the 737 MAX design," said Michael Teal, chief project engineer and deputy program manager, 737 MAX program. "Based on design work and preliminary testing results, we have even more confidence in our ability to give our customers the fuel savings they need while minimizing the development risk on this program."

A possible revision to the wing tips on the MAX also is being tested in the wind tunnel to see if this new technology could further benefit the airplane.

"Any new technology incorporated into the MAX design must offer substantial benefit to our customers with minimal risk for the team to pursue it," said Teal. "On the 737 MAX we are following our disciplined development process and continue to work on an airplane configuration that will provide the most value for our customers."

Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 10-12 percent fuel-burn improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and a 7 percent operating cost per-seat advantage over tomorrow's competition.

To date, the 737 MAX has more than 1,000 orders and commitments from 16 customers worldwide.

Boeing

Three letters that stand for even more innovation: airberlin backs the use of RNP procedure for takeoff and landing

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:59:05 GMT

RNP-AR, which stands for “Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required”, makes it possible to fly a specific path safely on approaches through mountain valleys and to take off and land in stormy weather conditions. The RNP procedure has tremendous potential to reduce noise pollution, which has not yet been exploited to the full in Germany. In the future, aircraft could be re-routed to avoid flying over densely populated areas close to airports, since the RNP procedure allows aircraft to make a curved final approach and the flight path does not need to be linear. In the area of fuel efficiency the approach procedure can also lead to savings due to a more efficient use of air space.

To establish satellite-based precision landings as a part of regular flight operations, airberlin has been participating in the joint research project for complex heterogeneous air traffic (HETEREX) since 2009. The aim of the research project is to create the conditions for curved approaches on takeoff and landing at German airports using the RNP procedure. In this way densely populated areas and obstacles can be avoided and an effective contribution can be made to reducing noise and emissions pollution. In particular, the RNP procedure could open up a new dimension in the discussion on aircraft routing for Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

Marc Altenscheidt, airberlin captain and head of the Boeing fleet, explains: “The case of Innsbruck shows that airberlin has the operational expertise to carry out takeoffs and landings using RNP procedure at other airports as well. We have created the technical conditions necessary within the Boeing fleet and our pilots are trained in this procedure. With the new approach procedure airberlin’s Boeing fleet now has access to another potential means of taking off and landing, which further increases flight safety and the reliability of flights even in stormy weather conditions. It also presents new possibilities in the area of environmentally efficient flying. A particular feature in Innsbruck is that RNP-AR can also be used for difficult takeoffs. This gives us a huge competitive advantage, because airberlin can take off in fog with visibility of up to 300 metres. In such stormy conditions, other airlines have to adhere to visual flight rules in the initial part of the flight in order to fly out of the valley.”

airberlin

Boeing and Embraer Sign Agreement for Broad Business Cooperation to Benefit Customers and Support Industry Growth

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Frederico Curado, President and CEO of Embraer S.A., and Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, signed the agreement during the visit of Brazil's President to the United States and following the annual meeting of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, a public-private partnership between the United States and Brazilian Governments which brings together chief executive officers from both countries. Curado and Albaugh are co-chairs of the CEO Forum’s aviation subcommittee.

Boeing and Embraer have agreed to pursue several areas of cooperation, including commercial aircraft features that enhance safety and efficiency, research and technology and sustainable aviation biofuels. They will also look for other areas to work together to bring mutual benefit and value to customers.

“This significant agreement between two proven aerospace leaders provides real opportunities to reduce customers’ operational costs and enhance fleet efficiency,” Albaugh said. “We look forward to working with Embraer to grow our industry and build a productive relationship that will benefit our companies and our countries.”

“Embraer has a clear commitment towards innovation lato sensu as well as aviation safety and efficiency,” Curado said. “I am certain that the collaboration with Boeing in some leading-edge matters will be beneficial for the industry and strengthen the ties between Brazil and the United States.”

The announcement by Embraer and Boeing was made on the same day as the signing by the Brazilian and United States Governments of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Aviation Partnership, to expand and deepen cooperation between the two countries on civil aviation, by facilitating the liaison between government agencies and increase private sector cooperation and awareness, creating economic partnerships and promoting investments.

Boeing and Embraer have already engaged in other cooperative agreements. In July 2011 they announced plans to jointly fund an analysis of opportunities to produce sustainable aviation jet fuel from sugarcane. In March 2012, Boeing, Embraer and Airbus announced a memorandum of understanding to work together on the development of drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels.

Embraer has had a corporate presence in the U.S. for over 3 decades and last year started manufacturing activities at its facility in Melbourne, Florida, where it is currently assembling executive jets. More recently, Embraer announced the creation of the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA to conduct research and development activities for both product and technology development across Embraer’s business lines.

Boeing has had a strong and enduring partnership with Brazil for 80 years, since delivery of 14 F4B-4 fighters to the Brazilian Government in 1932 and as a commercial aircraft provider to Brazilian airlines. In October 2011, Boeing opened its Brazil office in São Paulo, and said in December that it will partner with the Brazil-U.S. Fulbright Commission to fund “Science Without Borders” fellowships for 18 Brazilian aerospace and aeronautical engineering students. Last week, the company announced that it will open Boeing Research & Technology-Brazil to work with leading Brazilian researchers and scientists to develop aerospace technologies.

The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum comes together to provide joint recommendations to the two Governments on ways to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil economic relationship. This is the Forum’s seventh meeting.

Embraer

Boeing

Airbus starts final assembly of first A350 XWB - A350 XWB next generation aircraft takes shape

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:18:23 GMT

This first A350 XWB airframe will be used for the static structural tests that all new aircraft undergo as part of their certification process. The assembly of the first flying A350 XWB, MSN1, will start during summer.

The centre fuselage was delivered to Toulouse on Wednesday 4^th April 2012 by Beluga from Airbus in St Nazaire, France. The front fuselage was previously delivered from St Nazaire to the A350 XWB final assembly line on the 23^rd December 2011. Delivery and installation of the aft fuselage from Hamburg, Germany will take place in the coming weeks, followed by the wings delivered from Airbus’ wing assembly site in Broughton, UK.

The A350 XWB fuselage is made up of three main sections - front, centre and aft. These will be joined together at the first main assembly station, Station 50. The nose landing-gear is also joined here. Once this stage is completed, the fuselage is transferred to Station 40 where the wings and tail sections are joined. In parallel to this, cabin installation will be carried out simultaneously to the wing-fuselage join up, as well as the “power on” of the aircraft systems. In this way, functional tests can start earlier than on previous programmes.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all new family of mid-size widebody airliners. These highly efficient aircraft bring together the latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies to provide up to 25 percent better fuel efficiency and operating costs compared to current aircraft in the same size category. Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The aircraft’s innovative all-new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance. The A350 XWB benefits from Airbus’ high level of expertise in incorporating composite material into its aircraft.

The A350 XWB Family consists of three passenger versions with true long-range capability of flying up to 8,500nm/15,580km. In a typical three-class configuration, the A350-800 will offer 270 seats while the A350-900 and the A350-1000 will offer 314 and 350 seats respectively.

Neste Oil joined aireg promoting the deployment of biofuels in aviation

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Among the current 29 members of aireg are, for example, oil companies, airlines, airplane and engine manufacturers, research institutions, and universities such as Total, Lufthansa, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Technical University Munich (TUM), and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

"Joining forces and working in tight collaboration with other companies, research institutions, and decision makers is the most natural way for us in Neste Oil to support and promote the adoption of biofuels in aviation. We are expecting aireg to offer a platform for various players to come together to share ideas and develop plans for the industry to take the necessary steps towards significantly reducing the industry's carbon footprint," says Vice President Kaisa Hietala responsible for market development at Neste Oil.

Neste Oil has a long history in providing high quality fossil jet fuel for airlines operating at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland. In summer 2011, Neste Oil produced its first batches of premium quality jet fuel from renewable raw materials and became one of the very few oil companies in the world capable of producing this fuel at commercial scale.

The company just recently ended a 6-month test period with Lufthansa during which Neste Oil's NExBTL renewable aviation fuel was tested on over 1,100 flights between Frankfurt and Hamburg, and on one intercontinental flight between Frankfurt and Washington D.C. Extensive tests during the trial proved that the fuel performed excellently and resulted in 1% lower fuel consumption compared to regular fossil jet fuel. Further information regarding the test results can be found on Neste Oil's press release issued on March 15, 2012.

Neste Oil

ACI Asia-Pacific Announces Results of Green Airports Recognition Distinguished Achievement in Platinum goes to Changi Airport

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:32:59 GMT

The Green Airports Recognition is a new initiative of ACI Asia-Pacific with the objective to promote environmental best practices to minimize aviation’s impact on the environment as well as to recognize ACI Asia-Pacific airports members for their outstanding accomplishments in their environmental projects. The submissions were reviewed by a panel of 5 judges.

One of the judges, Ms. Elizabeth Leavitt, Chair of the ACI World Environment Standing Committee said, “The submissions were all very well done and reflected the airport's role in the community as well as the environmental challenges unique to each airport's community. The submissions showed how airports are working in their communities to address environmental issues of concern. An airport can be green for the environment and save money too!”

Airports with the highest overall scores are recognized with Distinguished Achievement:

• Distinguished Achievement in Platinum - Changi Airport

• Distinguished Achievement in Gold - Hong Kong International Airport

• Distinguished Achievement in Silver - Korea Airports Corporation

Three other airports are recognized with Green Airports Recognition – Outstanding Achievements:

• Alice Springs Airport (Northern Territory Airports)

• Incheon International Airport

• Kansai International Airport

Commenting on the results, Mrs. Patti Chau, Regional Director of ACI Asia-Pacific said, “I wish to congratulate all the recognized airports and also to say thank you to all the airports who have submitted papers to support this program. The submissions reflect that airports in our region are actively engaging in and are committed to the sustainable development of aviation as well as to the reduction of aviation’s impact on the environment. Last but not least, I would like to thank the judges for their valuable time and support.”

Recognized airports will be invited to the award presentation ceremony to be held at the 7th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly on May 23, 2012 in Singapore.